Red-bellied Turtle

Pseudemys rubriventris

The red-bellied turtle is an aquatic basking turtle with:

• A distinctive, highly-domed carapace, or shell, that varies in color from brownish to black.
• A plastron, or underside of the shell, that varies in color from orange to reddish.
• A black head that has light lines on the top and sides that run to the snout.
• Reddish-colored bands between the scutes, or plates, of its carapace. These bands vary depending on the age and sex of the turtle and may only be visible when the shell is wet.
• A heavy, notched jaw.

Red-bellied turtles grow to about 10 to 12.5 inches long.

Where does the red-bellied turtle live?

Red-bellied turtles can be found in relatively large fresh and brackish water ponds, streams, marshes and rivers in the southern portion of the Bay watershed. Like other cold-blooded animals, they sun themselves on shores, rocks and logs to control their body temperature. If alarmed while basking, they will quickly return to the water.

What does the red-bellied turtle eat?

Red-bellied turtles are omnivores that feed on snails, plants, crayfish and insect larvae.

When does the red-bellied turtle breed?

During June or July, the female red-bellied turtle digs a nest near the water and lays anywhere from eight to 20 eggs. The eggs hatch in about 10 to 15 weeks.

Young red-bellied turtles have a yellow to olive green-colored carapace and a coral red plastron with dark patterns.

Other facts about the red-bellied turtle:

• The red-bellied turtle is also called the redbelly turtle or the red-bellied cooter.
• The largest recorded red-bellied turtle was 15.75 inches long.
• Red-bellied turtles can be confused with painted turtles. You can distinguish a red-bellied turtle by its larger size and lack of yellow marks on the head.