Northern Red-bellied Cooter
Scientific Name: Pseudemys rubriventris
Photo Credits: JD Willson
In North Carolina, this species is found in canals, streams, lakes, and other bodies of still and slow-moving water. The top of its shell is brown or black with vertical yellow and orange markings. This species is eats aquatic plants, growing to 10-12.5 inches in shell length. The red-bellied cooter is listed as threatened by the World Conservation Union.
Explore the full species profile, including their habitat, diet, and behavior on Herps of NC.