Eastern Redbelly Turtle
(Pseudemys rubriventris)
Photo Courtesy of World
Chelonia Trust
The Eastern Redbelly Turtle is 10 - 15 inches in length. The carapace is brown or black with flat scutes. The head has a arrow-like stripe that runs between the eyes and to the nose. The plastron is reddish in color. Males have long claws on the forelimbs
Mating occurs in spring and nests are made in June to July. There are usually 8 - 20 oblong eggs laid in the nest and will emerge in 10 - 15 weeks. Young will often over-winter in the nest.
The Eastern Redbelly Turtle can be found in deep ponds, lakes, streams and rivers. This shy species prefers deeper water and will often be found basking near deeper water. They feed on snails, slugs, crayfish, tadpoles and aquatic plants. Like much of the wildlife in this nation they are threatened by habitat destruction. A subspecies in Massachusetts known as the Plymouth Redbelly Turtle is considered Endangered by the USFWS.