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American Red Bellied Turtle

Pseudemys rubriventris (Le Conte 1830)

Lifespan, longevity, and ageing

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Observations: One animal lived 11.2 years in captivity (http://www.pondturtle.com/). Their maximum lifespan is unknown.
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Untitled

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There is a dispute over the correct genus of the eastern redbelly turtle. Some choose to use Pseudemys while others use Chrysemys. Oftentimes, Chrysemys is used only for painted turtles.

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Behavior

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There is little known communication among P. rubriventris. They frequent the same rocks and logs while sunbathing and often sit on top of each other. Regarding Pseudemys concinna, a closely related species, females communicate by the emission of pheromones and males by tactile contact and a mating dance.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: pheromones

Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Conservation Status

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Red-bellied turtles are considered endangered according to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The subspecies P. rubriventris bangsi is considered threatened by the Lacey Act. This makes it illegal to import, export, transport, sell, or buy any part of the animal, dead or alive. The Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for maintaining water treatment plants that do not harm the turtles. Main causes of endangerment include expanding housing developments and a loss of nesting sights, pollutants, pesticides, and predation on eggs and hatchlings. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enacted a plan in 1985 to protect existing populations, to prevent hunting of the turtles, to collect eggs to hatch in captivity, and to educate the local public on the turtles.

US Federal List: threatened

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: lower risk - near threatened

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Life Cycle

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Psuedemys rubriventris lay eggs under 10 cm of sand. The young emerge as hatchlings after 73 to 80 days and quickly make their way to the nearest water source, where they will develop into adults. Hatchlings are typically between 29 and 36 mm in plastron length. Eastern red-bellied turtles reach sexual maturity after 5 to 9 years.

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Benefits

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There are no known adverse effects of P. rubriventris on humans.

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Benefits

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Red-bellied turtles were economically important to humans in the colonial times as a source of food and trade. Today, their shells make decorative art. Doctors have an interest in the workings of the turtles' hearts and have performed operations recorded in scientific journals. Red-bellied turtles also help control the population of hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant.

Positive Impacts: food ; body parts are source of valuable material; research and education; controls pest population

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Associations

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Eastern red-bellied turtles act as both predator and prey. Their prey include crayfish, snails, fish, and tadpoles. Predators of P. rubriventris include bullfrogs, skunks, raccoons, wading birds, crows, and mice. Eastern redbelly turtles play an important role in the middle of the food chain. They also are responsible for controlling the population of hyacinth, an invasive plant.

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Trophic Strategy

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Red-bellied turtles primarily eat aquatic vegetation and algae such as Myriophyllum, Utricularia, and Sagittaria. Secondary food sources include crayfish, snails, fish, and tadpoles. Juveniles are herbivorous and adults are omnivorous. Laboratory hatchlings can be fed brine shrimp

Animal Foods: amphibians; fish; insects; mollusks; aquatic crustaceans

Plant Foods: leaves; algae; macroalgae

Primary Diet: herbivore (Algivore); omnivore

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
author
Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Distribution

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The range of Pseudemys rubriventris spans the Mid-Atlantic coastal waters of the USA from New Jersey to North Carolina. This includes areas east to the Potomac River and west to W. Virginia. There is a disjunctive population of eastern red-bellied turtles in Massachusetts, as well as a small, introduced population in Long Island, New York.

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Habitat

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Eastern red-bellied turtles inhabit large freshwater lakes, rivers, ponds, and creeks. Most of these waters are fast moving, deep-bodied, and contain a muddy bottom where the water depth ranges from 2-3.5 m. Occasionally, P. rubriventris are found in brackish water at the mouths of rivers. They surround themselves with aquatic vegetation, rocks, and logs for basking in the sun. Eastern red-bellied turtles become terrestrial for short periods of time while laying eggs in June or July. They show little evidence of migration and often occupy the same habitat year-round.

Range depth: 2 to 3.5 m.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial ; freshwater

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland

Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams; brackish water

Other Habitat Features: suburban ; riparian ; estuarine

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Life Expectancy

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The lifespan of P. rubriventris ranges from 40 to 55 years.

Typical lifespan
Status: wild:
40 to 55 years.

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
author
Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Morphology

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The carapaces of adult red-bellied turtles are on average 26 to 32 cm in length. The carapace is a mahogany black color with red lines running dorso-ventrally. They have a serrated front upper-jaw. The head is brown and arrow-shaped with a yellow line that extends between the eyes and snout. A series of consecutive thick and thin yellow bands come off the anterior of the eye and travel laterally down the neck. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. The plastrons of male red-bellied turtles are light pink. They have long, straight claws on their feet and an anal opening that extends beyond the shell. The females are larger than the males with brighter red plastrons containing gray borders. The hatchlings of P. rubriventris have an orange plastron and a green carapace covered with light green markings. The skin is light green as well. A possible subspecies, P. rubriventris bangsi of Massachusetts, has a greater height (by 2.4 times) due to a more domed carapace.

Range mass: 3900 (high) g.

Range length: 40 (high) cm.

Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; bilateral symmetry ; polymorphic

Sexual Dimorphism: female larger; sexes colored or patterned differently; ornamentation

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Associations

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Common predators of P. rubriventris include raccoons, skunks, crows, herons, and bullfrogs. Lawn mowers frequently kill turtles resting in grass. Housing developments around rivers and ponds result in loss of nesting sights. Crows, rats, and mice eat the hatchlings and eggs. Red-bellied turtles escape predators by burying themselves in the mud, swimming aggressively, or by withdrawing into their shells.

Known Predators:

  • raccoons (Procyon lotor)
  • skunks (Mephitinae)
  • crows (Corvus)
  • herons (Ardeidae)
  • bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus)
  • rats (Rattus)
  • deer mice and white-footed mice (Peromyscus)
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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
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Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Reproduction

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The mating of P. rubriventris has never been observed. Scientists know mating does occur in shallow water in the fall or spring. With regards to a closely related species, Pseudemys concinna, the male pursues the female and sniffs her tail after the female releases a pheromone. In the following mating ritual, he then swims above and in front of her in the water and rapidly strokes her face with his claws. If a female P. concinna accepts his advances, the male then swims behind the female, mounting her for copulation.

Mating System: polygynous

Female eastern red-bellied turtles dig a nest cavity 10 cm wide by 10 cm deep in the sand in early June or July. This nest cavity is found in a well-insulated area 90 m from the water, and 1 m above pond level. Pseudemys rubriventris produce one clutch of eggs yearly containing 8 to 22 eggs. Hatching occurs in 73 to 80 days. The hatchlings emerge from August to October. If late nesting occurs, hatchlings do not emerge before the winter. Eggs incubated on natural sand are larger and have a better chance of survival than eggs incubated in artificial settings. Due to the loss of natural habitats, female red-bellied turtles sometimes lay eggs in homeowner's yards. Females try to return to the same nesting sights every year.

Breeding interval: Once yearly

Breeding season: Egg laying occurs in June-July

Range number of offspring: 8 to 22 .

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 5 to 7 years.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 9 years.

Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; oviparous

Female P. rubriventris provide no parental care once they lay their eggs and cover the nest.

Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth

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Clark, K. 2004. "Pseudemys rubriventris" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 27, 2013 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pseudemys_rubriventris.html
author
Kelly Clark, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Matthew Wund, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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David Armitage, Animal Diversity Web
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Distribution

provided by ReptileDB
Continent: North-America
Distribution: USA (along the Atlantic Coastal Plain in New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, NE North Carolina, and west up the Potomac River to E West Virginia, relict populations in Plymouth county and possibly Essex county, Massachusetts) bangsi:
Type locality: Boot Pond, Plymouth, Massachusetts. Holotype: MCZ 16778, adult, collected by H.J. Thayer, 1912.
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Northern red-bellied cooter

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The northern red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris)[2] or American red-bellied turtle is a species of turtle in the Pseudemys (cooter) genus of the family Emydidae.

Description

A fairly large river turtle, it averages about 29 to 30 cm (11 to 12 in) in length and weighs on average around 3 kg (6.6 lb), although large females can measure up to 40 cm (16 in) in length.[4]

Distribution and habitat

It is endemic to the United States. The current range of the red-bellied turtle includes a population in Massachusetts, the Plymouth red-bellied turtle, which was previously considered a distinct subspecies (Pseudemys rubriventris bangsi) as well as the coastal areas of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

A northern red-bellied cooter in Long Pond in Plymouth, Massachusetts in July 2021.

The red-bellied turtle has appeared on Pennsylvania Fish Commission lists of endangered amphibians and reptiles since 1978 (McCoy 1985). By 1985 the red-bellied turtle was known to exist in Pennsylvania only in isolated colonies in a few counties (McCoy 1985). Small (less than thirty individuals) colonies were known in Manor and Silver lakes in Bucks county, the Tinicum wetlands in Philadelphia and Delaware counties, the West Branch of Conococheague Creek in Franklin County and possibly Springton Reservoir in Delaware county (McCoy 1985).

Conservation

The red-bellied turtle is a threatened[5] species within Pennsylvania. However, it is listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as well as the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (Massachusetts).[6]

The potential threats to red-bellied turtle populations are numerous. Primary threats include wetland loss, habitat fragmentation, pollution, collecting of turtles for pets, food or other trophies, competition with the invasive red-eared slider turtle for food, habitat, basking sites or nesting sites, and the potential for hybridization with red-eared slider turtles.

The Massachusetts wildlife preserve foundation has started to repopulate the turtles by placing them in many southeastern Massachusetts ponds. One example is at Long and Little Long Pond in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where the population is starting to regrow.

References

  1. ^ van Dijk, P.P. (2016) [errata version of 2011 assessment]. "Pseudemys rubriventris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T18460A97427406. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T18460A8299690.en. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b Rhodin 2010, p. 000.102
  3. ^ Fritz Uwe; Peter Havaš (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 195–196. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-01. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  4. ^ http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/18460/0
  5. ^ Threatened species - Pennsylvania
  6. ^ "Amphibians and Reptiles in Massachusetts".
Bibliography
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Northern red-bellied cooter: Brief Summary

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The northern red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys rubriventris) or American red-bellied turtle is a species of turtle in the Pseudemys (cooter) genus of the family Emydidae.

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