Red-Bellied Cooter in Maryland

[Maro2Bear]

Greetings All

Great day here in Maryland with our first real week with temperatures in the low- to mid-80's. We went out for a drive toward the Eastern Shore of MD and on our return we came across this guy in the busy highway. I was able to safely pull over and retrieve what we believe is a "red-bellied cooter" out of harm's way and then released into a nearby freshwater pond.

At first look, I thought it was a typical painted turtle, but after closer inspection and some internet browsing, we're pretty sure it's a red-bellied cooter. You can see his red belly, dark carapace, v shape in beak, large size, etc.

Here's a quick link to some info http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/red_bellied_turtle

and some pix.

Here you can see the good size of this native turtle - nice dark carapace, dark head.


Here you can see the red coloring in the carapace, stripes on throat, V in beak.

 

[kathyth]

That is one heck of a beautiful and healthy looking turtle. I can certainly see the similarity between this and a Western Painted.
Thanks for posting this.

 

[Len B]

They are cool turtles. Here are a couple of mine (along with some pond mates) this morning looking for breakfast. Good Save, I saw a smashed large female on 301 this morning near Dalgren.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Darn.....i hate to see smashed tortoises or turtles on the roads. Kills me!

 

[stojanovski92113]

I never see turtles in MI, if I do they are dead on the side of the road I have saved a few crossing the road in the past. By the way beautiful turtles!!

 

[Lexiii]

I spotted a snapper yesterday in the road but I was too late. I had to pull over until I stopped crying. It's always bothered me, but I've gotten much worse since getting a tort.

 

[Maro2Bear]

Yes, it's sad to see them crushed on the road. I'm glad that I was able to get this one off the main road to " the beaches" before the weekend rush.