- Alabama red-bellied turtle
Taxobox
name = Alabama red-bellied turtle
status = EN
status_system = iucn2.3
regnum =Animalia
phylum =Chordata
classis =Reptilia
ordo =Testudines
familia =Emydidae
genus = "Pseudemys "
species = "P. alabamensis"
binomial = "Pseudemys alabamensis"The Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle, "Pseudemys alabamensis", is native to
Alabama . It belongs to the Emydidae turtle family. It is the official reptile of the state of Alabama. [cite web |url=http://www.archives.state.al.us/emblems/st_rept.html |title=Official Alabama Reptile |accessdate=2007-03-19 |date=2001-07-12 |work=Alabama Emblems, Symbols and Honors |publisher=Alabama Department of Archives & History]Description
Adult red-bellied turtles are approximately 1 foot (30 cm) in length. Its
carapace (upper shell) may be greenish to dark brown or black, with yellowish, orangish, or reddish vertical markings along the sides. Itsplastron (under shell) may be pale yellow to red, possibly with dark markings.Life History
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. 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.
References
* Listed as Endangered (EN B1+2c v2.3)
External links
* [http://www.savetheredbelly.org Save the Alabama Red-bellied Turtle] -- Alabama Red-bellied Turtle Alliance
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