Pseudemys texana

Taxobox
name = Texas River Cooter


regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
subclassis = Anapsida
ordo = Testudines
subordo = Cryptodira
superfamilia = Testudinoidea
familia = Emydidae
genus = "Pseudemys"
species = "P. texana"
binomial = "Pseudemys texana"
binomial_authority = Baur, 1893
synonyms = "Pseudemys concinna texana"
"Chrysemys concinna texana"
"Chrysemys floridana texana"

The Texas River Cooter ("Pseudemys texana") is a species of freshwater turtle native to creeks, rivers, and lakes of the US state of Texas. They are found in the river basins of the Colorado, Brazos, Guadalupe, and San Antonio Rivers. It is one of two species of cooter native to the state, the other being the Eastern River Cooter, "Pseudemys concinna".

Description

The Texas River Cooter is a relatively large turtle, capable of growing to a shell length of 12+ inches (30.5 cm). They are green in color, with yellow and black markings that fade with age. Males can be distinguished from females by their longer tails, longer claws, and overall smaller size.

Behavior

Texas Cooters are diurnal and are avid baskers. They can often be seen on the edges of the water, or on floating logs or rocks sunning themselves, but are shy and will usually dive into the water if approached. They are excellent swimmers. Their diet progresses through their life, with young turtles being primarily carnivorous, eating various aquatic invertebrates and fish, but progressing to be more herbivorous as they age.

Taxonomy

The Texas Cooter was once reclassified to a subspecies of the Eastern Cooter, "Pseudemys cocinna", but was again given full species status in 1991.

Similar species

The Red-eared Turtle ("Trachemys scripta elegans") shares its range and habits, but can easily be distinguished from the Texas Cooter by red patches on either side of its head. Various species of map turtle can also look much like juvenile Texas Cooters.

References

*EMBL species|genus=Pseudemys|species=texana
* [http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/pseudemyscare.htm Chelonia.org: "Pseudemys" care]