River Cooter Turtle

This North American turtle, with its distinctive design of bright yellow lines on its head, neck, and legs, is a marvel to observe. The male, as in many North American aquatic species, has very long claws on its front legs. Interestingly, these long claws, besides being used during courtship displays, also serve for cleaning and scratching. During the courtship ritual, the male waves them in front of the female’s head in a rhythmic dance… demonstrating his vitality and desire to mate.

The river cooter turtle inhabits various environments: rivers, lakes, swamps, and ponds. A fascinating characteristic of this turtle is its ability to hibernate in the mud at the bottom of water bodies during harsh winter months. Young specimens are quite omnivorous, enjoying everything from aquatic insects to plants, but adults, with a marked preference, become herbivorous as they age. In the wild, it often shares habitats with the red-eared slider ("Florida turtle").

In France, owning this species requires a specific certificate of competence. Breeding is regulated, and it is strictly prohibited to release these turtles into the wild: they could compete with and even threaten local species due to their adaptability and aggressive behavior when establishing territories. This concern reflects a growing global issue regarding invasive exotic species and the need to protect local ecosystems.

Click here to discover and visit the A Cupulatta tortoise park near Ajaccio.