Pseudemys concinna floridana (Le Conte, 1830)

Taxonomy and Common Name

Pseudemys concinna, commonly called the river cooter, is a species of freshwater turtle belonging to the family Emydidae.

Native and Introduced Range

This species is native to the central and eastern United States, and has been introduced into parts of California, Washington, and British Columbia.

Detailed Native Distribution

The native geographic range of Pseudemys concinna extends from Virginia south to central Georgia, west to eastern Texas and Oklahoma, and north to southern Indiana.

Habitat

River cooters are most commonly found in moderately flowing rivers, as well as in lakes and tidal marshes.

FDA Turtle Sale Regulation Origin

A 1975 regulation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), issued under the Public Health Service Act, bans the general commercial and public sale of turtle eggs and turtles with a carapace length shorter than 4 inches (100 mm).

Regulation Purpose and Implementation

This ban has been in effect across the United States since 1975, implemented to address public health risks associated with turtle-associated Salmonella.

Regulation Enforcement

The regulation is enforced by the FDA in cooperation with state and local health jurisdictions.

Violation Consequences for Seized Stock

Turtles or turtle eggs offered for sale in violation of this ban are subject to destruction following FDA procedures.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

People who refuse to comply with a valid final demand to destroy violating turtles or eggs may face a penalty of up to $1,000 in fines, up to one year of imprisonment, or both.

Regulation Exception

Many stores and flea markets still sell small turtles because the FDA regulation includes an exception that allows sale of turtles under 4 inches (100 mm) for bona fide scientific, educational, or exhibitional purposes, excluding use as pets.

Salmonella Risk Mitigation

As with many other animals, the risk of Salmonella exposure from river cooters can be reduced by following basic cleanliness rules.

Hygiene Guidelines for Handling

Small children must be taught not to put turtles in their mouths, and to wash their hands immediately after playing with a turtle, feeding it, or changing its water.

Mating Habit Comparison

The mating habits of the river cooter are very similar to those of the red-eared slider.

Sexual Size Dimorphism

Like other species of basking turtles, male river cooters are generally smaller than females.

Initial Courtship Behavior

Males use their long claws to flutter at the face of the much larger female, and females often ignore this courtship behavior.

Pheromone and Courtship Displays

After detecting what may be a pheromone signal while sniffing a female's tail, a male river cooter will court the female by swimming above her, vibrating his long nails and stroking her face.

Female Courtship Initiation

Females have also been observed performing this behavior to initiate courtship.

Receptive Female Mating Behavior

If the female is receptive, she will sink to the river bottom and allow the male to mount for mating.

Post-Mating Nest Site Search

If mating is successful, the female crawls onto land several weeks later to search for a nesting site, and will often cross highways to find a suitable spot.

Clutch Size and Hatchling Overwintering Account

One count notes that females lay between 12 and 20 eggs at a time, in a nest located close to water. Under this account, eggs hatch within 45 to 56 days, and hatchlings usually remain near the nest through their first winter.

Mating and Nesting Timing

Mating occurs in early spring, and nesting most often takes place from May to June.

Nest Site Selection Criteria

The female selects a nesting site with sandy or loamy soil, located within 100 ft (30 m) of the river's edge. She prefers an open area with no major obstacles that would block future hatchlings on their way to the river.

Nest Digging and Clutch Size

She digs the nest using her hind feet. She can lay 10 to 25 or more eggs in one or more clutches.

Egg Characteristics

The eggs are ellipsoidal, approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) long.

Incubation Period

Incubation time depends on temperature, and averages 90 to 100 days.

Hatchling Emergence Timing

Hatchlings generally emerge in August or September. There have been reported cases of late clutches over-wintering and hatching the following spring.

Hatchling Appearance

Newly emerged hatchlings have a round carapace about 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter, which is green with bright yellow markings.