The Florida Red-Bellied Cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni) is a large, herbivorous freshwater turtle in Florida, known for its reddish-orange belly, yellow-striped dark skin, and preference for basking in sunny spots on logs in lakes, rivers, and marshes, often sharing habitats with alligators, whose nests they sometimes use for laying eggs, growing large (females up to 14+ inches) and living for decades.
Appearance & Size
Shell: Brown/olive carapace (top) with light streaks; reddish-orange plastron (bottom) that fades with age.
Head/Limbs: Olive to black skin with bright yellow stripes; males have longer foreclaws and tails.
Size: Females are larger, reaching up to 35-40 cm (14-15 inches) long, while males are smaller.
Habitat & Behavior
Home: Permanent fresh waters like ponds, swamps, canals, and slow rivers across Florida.
Basking: Loves to sunbathe on logs/rocks to regulate body temperature, quickly diving when disturbed.
Diet: Primarily aquatic plants (waterweed, duckweed), but juveniles eat insects; adults may eat algae and carrion.
Nesting: Females nest spring-fall, sometimes laying eggs in alligator nests for protection.