A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Pseudemys floridana floridana
This Peninsula Cooter (or Florida cooter) was spotted on a log at Juniper Springs, Ocala National Forest. Florida Cooters are large turtles, ranging in size from 23 to 33 cm (9 - 13 in.), and are flatter in appearance than the similar slider turtle (Trachemys scripta). This poor turtle had a leaf stuck to the side of its head. Hopefully it will wash off when it gets back into the water.
Florida Cooters are found throughout the Southeastern Coastal Plain and prefer permanent waters with soft sandy bottoms and abundant vegetation, such as ponds, lakes, swamps, marshes, and slow-moving rivers. They are frequently observed basking on logs. This Florida cooter was spotted at Juniper Springs, Ocala National Forest, Ocala, Florida
No problem, and awesome that it was something new for you! Cooters can get to be very big for sure! Hope you find some more new stuff before you head back north :)
Thanks again Ashley for correcting this spotting. I'm so grateful! This is a new spotting for me. I wondered about the identification because it was so much larger than the yellow-bellied sliders that I've seen. Had never heard of a Peninsula Cooter. Thanks so much!
Hi James McNair. I seem to be in your territory. I stay here during the winter in Florida. I guess I'm a snowbird. Then go back to Maryland in the summer. Your pictures are awesome. Thanks !
Lovely image Mary, almost all your shots I do a double take as you post a lot of stuff that looks like mine! :-)