Alabama red-bellied turtle

Alabama red-bellied turtle
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Emydidae
Subfamily:	Deirochelyinae
Genus:	Pseudemys
Species:	P. alabamensis
Binomial name
Pseudemys alabamensis

The Alabama red-bellied turtle, Pseudemys alabamensis, or Alabama red-bellied cooter is native to Alabama. It belongs to the Emydidae turtle family. It is the official reptile of the state of Alabama.

Life History

hatching ART

hatchling ART, bottom shell

The red-belly inhabits the fresh to brackish waters of the Mobile Delta in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. It is found nowhere else in the world. It feeds on an abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation 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 deposited. Hatchlings usually emerge during the summer. However, when the turtles nest in late July, hatchlings may overwinter in the nest and emerge the following spring. As of June 2009 the turtle has been seen in the Central part of Alabama, in the Elmore County region.

References

• Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (1996). Pseudemys alabamensis. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Endangered (EN B1+2c v2.3)

External links

• Save the Alabama Red-bellied Turtle -- Alabama Red-bellied Turtle Alliance