Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle

Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle

Alabama red-bellied cooter

Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Pseudemys alabamensis
Population size
Unknown
Length
20-25
7.9-9.8
cminch
cm inch 

The Alabama red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys alabamensis ) or Alabama red-bellied turtle, is native to Alabama. It belongs to the turtle family Emydidae, the pond turtles. It is the official reptile of the state of Alabama.

Appearance

The Alabama red-bellied turtle is a species of pond turtle native to Alabama. Their carapace varies in color and can be greenish to dark brown or black with yellowish, orange, or reddish markings on the sides. The plastron may be pale yellow to red in color. The skin is olive to black with yellowish facial stripes. These turtles are the official reptile of the state of Alabama.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Regions
Biogeographical realms

Alabama red-bellied turtles are found in the Mobile Bay, Alabama. They inhabit fresh to brackish waters, river channels, and salt marsh areas.

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Little is known about the lifestyle of Alabama red-bellied turtles. They are diurnal and spend most of the time foraging in vegetation or basking on logs. These turtles are quite wary creatures especially while basking; when disturbed or sense any danger they will quickly submerge underwater.

Diet and Nutrition

Alabama red-bellied turtles are herbivores and feed only on underwater plants.

Mating Habits

REPRODUCTION SEASON
May-July
INCUBATION PERIOD
73-80 days
INDEPENDENT AGE
at birth
FEMALE NAME
female
MALE NAME
male
BABY NAME
hatchling
web.animal_clutch_size
4-9 eggs

Little is known about the mating and reproductive habits in Alabama red-bellied turtles. Nesting usually occurs from May through July. Female turtles lay their eggs on dry land, digging nests in sandy soil, where 4 to 9 eggs are laid. Incubation lasts from 73 to 80 days and hatchlings usually emerge during the summer. However, when the turtles nest in late July, hatchlings may overwinter in the nest and emerge the following spring. The young are around 2.5 cm (1 in) long at birth and fully independent. Females become reproductively mature at 15 years of age but males usually reach maturity more quickly.

Population

Population threats

The biggest threat to the Alabama red-bellied turtles comes from humans. Populations of this species have been declining since the 1980s, mostly due to loss of suitable nesting areas, disturbing nestin turtles, illegal collecting for the pet trade and for food, and trapping in fishing nets. Raccoons and fish crows prey on eggs of these turtles and large fish, shorebirds, snakes, and some mammals prey on hatchlings.

Population number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Alabama red-bellied turtle total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.

References

1. Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_red-bellied_cooter
2. Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/18458/97296493

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