Reptiles of North Carolina
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NC Records

Pseudemys rubriventris - Northern Red-bellied Cooter


Photo: Steve Hall
Taxonomy
Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: EMYDIDAE Subfamily: Deirochelyinae Other Common Name(s): Red-bellied Cooter
Taxonomic Comments: One of eight species in this genus that occurs in North America north of Mexico (SSAR, 2017). Two have been recorded in North Carolina. In a molecular analysis of this genus, however, Spinks et al. (2013) found little support for the separation of many of the species in this genus. Our two species, at least, appear to be distinct from one another.
Species Comments: Spinks et al. (2013) found that analysis of mitochondrial DNA supported P. rubriventris as a separate clade. Nonetheless, at least a few apparent hybrids with the Florida Cooter have been recorded in North Carolina (see Palmer and Braswell, 1995, for a discussion of these specimens).
Identification
Basis for Records: Photographs can be used to identify this species 1) where they clearly show the pale arrow-head shaped marking on the top of the head in front of the eyes, or 2) where they show the reddish to pinkish shading on the plastron, or red markings along the marginal scutes, or 3) a frontal view showing the median notch and lateral cusps on the upper jaw. Location in the state provides supplementary information that can be helpful.
Field Marks: Northern Red-bellied Turtles, as both the common and scientific names imply, has a pinkish to reddish plastron, unlike the yellow to orange plastrons found in River Cooters and Pond Sliders. The carpace is brown to blackish and is strongly rugose in adults (Palmer and Braswell, 1995). As in River Cooters, the head is dark and marked with thin pale lines, with a distinctive arrow-head mark located
Morphological Features: The cutting edges of the lower jaw are serrated in Pseudemys but are smooth in Trachemys. The upper jaw in P. rubriventris has a strong median notch located between two well-developed cusps; in P. concinna, the upper jaw is only weakly notched, if at all, and the cusps are also poorly developed or absent (Palmer and Braswell, 1995).
Technical Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Lovich (2009)
Field Guide Descriptions: Beane et al. (2010); Powell et al. (2016)
Online Photos:    Google   iNaturalist   GBIF
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution Comments: In North Carolina, this mid-Atlantic Coast species is confined to the counties bordering the Currituck, Albemarle, and Pamlico Sounds. A number of records come from the interdune ponds at the Nags Head Woods preserve on the northern Outer Banks. At least one record comes from Bodie Island within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Distribution Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); NCMNS Herpetology Collection Database (accessed 2023-01)
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Key Habitat Requirements
Habitat: Northern Red-bellied Cooters inhabit lakes, ponds, canals, and other still and sluggish waters (Palmer and Braswell, 1995). This species is reported to use brackish habitats farther north but we do not appear to have records from our sounds, despite the fact that the Currituck and Albemarle sounds are essentially fresh water.
Life History and Autecology
General Ecology
Adverse Environmental Impacts
Status in North Carolina
NHP State Rank: S4
Global Rank: G5

Photo Gallery for Pseudemys rubriventris - Northern Red-bellied Cooter

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Recorded by: Steve Hall
Dare Co.
Comment: Female attempting to nest on a highway right-of-way