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Alabama red-bellied cooter

Species of turtle native to Alabama From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alabama red-bellied cooter
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The Alabama red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys alabamensis) or Alabama red-bellied turtle, is native to Alabama.[1][2] It belongs to the turtle family Emydidae, the pond turtles. It is the official reptile of the state of Alabama.[5]

Quick Facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
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Life history

The red-belly inhabits the fresh to brackish waters of the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta in Mobile and Baldwin counties.[2] It feeds on aquatic vegetation[6] and can be found sunning itself on logs. Nesting of the red-bellied turtle occurs from May through July. Female turtles lay their eggs on dry land, digging nests in sandy soil, where 4 to 9 eggs are laid. Hatchlings usually emerge during the summer. When the turtles nest in late July, hatchlings may overwinter in the nest and emerge the following spring.[citation needed]

A mature female can be 14 inches (360 mm), while a mature male can be 12 inches (300 mm).[6]

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Location

As of June 2009 the turtle has been seen in the central part of Alabama, in the Elmore County region.[citation needed]

This turtle has also been found in south-eastern Mississippi,[7] in Harrison and Jackson counties.[6] It may also exist in northwest Florida.[2]

Protection

In 2007, a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) chain-link fence was constructed along part of the US 98 causeway (Battleship Parkway) that separates the Mobile-Tensaw delta from Mobile Bay.[8] Hatchling deaths dropped 80% from 2007 to 2008.[citation needed]

References

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