Florida Red-Bellied Turtle

Characteristics

High arched elongated carapace is up to 13 inches in length. Medial keel is lost in adults. Carapace is variable in color, but usually black with red or yellow markings on the marginals and a transverse bar across the front costal scutes. Plastron is reddish orange and may be plain or carry a pattern that fades with age. Head is moderate in size and has a prominent notch at the tip of the upper jaw and a non-protruding snout. Skin is black with yellow stripes. Males have elongated slightly curved foreclaws and long thick tails. Females are slightly larger than males.

Species Specifics

The family Emydidae includes approximately 95 species in 33 genera. Members are distributed throughout North America, northern South America, Europe, northwestern Africa, and Asia. Emydids are primarily freshwater species, though some species inhabit brackish waters or are terrestrial.

Physical Characteristics

This species has a deeper and much heavier shell than its more northern cousins. This may have evolved as being less likely to be cracked by alligators which are only found in the south.

Ecology

Habitat

Lives in ponds, lakes, ditches, marches and slow moving streams.

Distribution

Diet

Adults are highly herbivorous, preferring aquatic plants. Also eat carrion.

Ecological Web

This turtle is quite unique as it lives around alligators and with a thick shell they are not a part of the alligators diet.

Activity and Behavior

Activity Pattern

Most of the day is spent basking.

Behavior

Social Behavior

Reproductive Behavior

More research is needed.

Offspring

12 eggs each year.

Conservation

Status

Historical

Current Threats

Our Role

Oakland Zoo believes that each one of us has the power to become stewards of the natural world, decrease our global footprint and inspire others to do the same. Learn about the conservation initiatives we're pursuing at the Zoo, and find out how you can help.