Pseudemys peninsularis Carr, 1938

Taxonomic Identification

The peninsula cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis Carr, 1938) is an average-sized species in the turtle family Emydidae.

Size

It most often reaches a carapace length of 9 to 13 inches (23–33 cm) and a weight of 5 to 15 pounds (2.27-6.8 kg), though some individuals can grow larger than 16 inches (40.64 cm) and weigh over 35 pounds (15.876 kg).

Interspecies Identification

Peninsula cooters can be told apart from Florida red-bellied cooters (Pseudemys nelsoni) by two key traits: peninsula cooters do not have a reddish plastron, and they have dozens of yellow stripes across their carapace, limbs, head, and tail.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males can be distinguished from females both by their smaller overall size and by their much longer, elongated front claws.

Mating Behavior

Males use these elongated claws to stimulate females before mating.

Distribution

This species is widespread across peninsular Florida, where it lives in rivers, ponds, and lakes.