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.[3]
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[4] 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
A mature female can be Script error: No such module "convert"., while a mature male can be Script error: No such module "convert"..[4]
Location
As of June 2009 the turtle has been seen in the central part of Alabama, in the Elmore County region.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
This turtle has also been found in south-eastern Mississippi,[5] in Harrison and Jackson counties.[4] It may also exist in northwest Florida.[2]
Protection
In 2007, a Script error: No such module "convert". chain-link fence was constructed along part of the US 98 causeway (Battleship Parkway) that separates the Mobile-Tensaw delta from Mobile Bay.[6] Hatchling deaths dropped 80% from 2007 to 2008.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Gallery
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Hatchling
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Hatchling, plastron
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Hatchling, carapace view
References
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- ↑ Southern Wonder: Alabama's Surprising Biodiversity by R. Scot Duncan, University of Alabama Press, 2013, page 367, Template:ISBN
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External links
- Save the Alabama Red-bellied turtle—Alabama red-bellied turtle alliance