Peninsula cooter

Peninsula cooter
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Superfamily:	Testudinoidea
Family:	Emydidae
Genus:	Pseudemys
Species:	P. peninsularis
Binomial name
Pseudemys peninsularis (Carr, 1938) [2]
Synonyms [3]
Pseudemys floridana peninsularisCarr, 1938 Pseudemys floridana penunsularisAllen, 1939(ex errore) Chrysemys floridana peninsularisWeaver & Rose, 1967 Pseudemys peninsularisSeidel, 1994

The peninsula cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis), sometimes referred to as the peninsular cooter, is a species of freshwater turtle in the genus Pseudemys . It is sometimes considered a subspecies of the coastal plain cooter (P. floridana) when that turtle is not itself considered a subspecies of the river cooter (P. concinna).

Description

The peninsula cooter is an average sized member of the family Emydidae, typically reaching carapace lengths of 9-13 in (23–33 cm) and weights of 5-15 lbs (2.27-6.8 kg). However, they are capable of surpassing 16” (40.64 cm) and 35 pounds (15.876 kg). Peninsula cooters can be distinguished from the Florida red-bellied cooter ( Pseudemys nelsoni ) by their lack of a reddish plastron and the presence of dozens of yellow stripes on their carapace, limbs, head, and tail. Males can be distinguished from females by not only their smaller size, but their greatly elongated front claws. These claws are used to stimulate the female prior to mating.

Close up on face/beak

Peninsula Cooter basking

Distribution

The species is widespread in peninsular Florida. It can be found in rivers, ponds, and lakes.

References

1. van Dijk, P.P. (2016) [errata version of 2011 assessment]. "Pseudemys peninsularis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2011: e.T170496A97427004. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T170496A6782626.en . Retrieved 15 July 2023.
2. Rhodin 2011, p. 000.181
3. Fritz Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 194–195. doi: 10.3897/vz.57.e30895 . Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2012.

Bibliography

• Rhodin, Anders G.J.; van Dijk, Peter Paul; Inverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley; Roger, Bour (2011-12-31). "Turtles of the world, 2011 update: Annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution and conservation status" (PDF). Chelonian Research Monographs. 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-01-31.