Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I work at a museum and was recently brought this turtle to ID. The owners acquired the turtle through a friend, who was not the first owner. I do not know where this turtle came from and did not get any useful info from the owners. I believe it to be a Pseudemys sp. but I am not extremely knowledgeable about the genus. I need to know the species of this animal to determine whether it is a native turtle to VA and can go on exhibit at our facility.
I think it is a Florida cooter, but not sure. The plastron is unmarked, no hairpins on the head, and an unnotched upper jaw. I would like to see what others think with more experience. I was also confused with the number of species/ subspecies in this genus. The four books I looked through each contradicted each other is some manner. I would appreciate any help.

Carapace

Handsome guy

is what it looks like.

>>is what it looks like.
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...the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it."
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Although the exterme closups are a bit more confusing than a good overall photo, I believe it is Pseudemys concina heiroglyphica, the Heiroglyphic Slider. I had one of these for many years and was only able to identify it recently.

I think it is either some kind of Cooter or that Slider that the one dude said.
Michael Fedzen
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either eastern river cooter of some local, heiroglyphic, or suwanneee. im leaning towards suwannee based on the plastron and bridge markings.

....it is a Suwannee cooter, as I have owned this species and I remember it as being darker with different head markings. Also, the Suawannee is very restricted in range and rarely comes up on the general market except through breeders and specialists. I believe the carapace has pronounced serration (compared to the others) but I am not sure.

the carapace doesnt seem dark enough, but it looks to still be a young turtle and may still turn dark. i have a suwannee, and its carapace is almost completely black at only 6 inches. there is a breeder who sells suwannee/eastern river cooter crosses, could be a possibility. need full body shots for accurate id

It is either an Eastern River Cooter or a Suwannee, but I am leaning toward Eastern. Both species have 5 pinstripes between the eyes like your cooter does. And both have light "C" markings on the 2nd costal scute, which I also saw from the carapace picture. The way to distinguish between Eastern or Suwannee is whether your turtle has a yellow stripe running down the back of the hindfoot. Eastern's have this stripe, Suwannee's do not. Suwannee's have a solid dark foot. Also on the head, the 2nd and 4th "lesser" stripes (if you count the stripes starting at one eye and working toward the other) between the eyes form somewhat of a ring, which tends to sway me to thinking its an Eastern River Cooter, though this ring is not a usual trait in Eastern's. The 2nd and 4th "lesser" stripes on Suwannee's normally always run from the base of the neck to near the tip of the nose as very thin pin stripes. If it is an Eastern then yes you can put it in your display because they are native to that part of Virginia. If it is a Suwannee, it is native to a restricted part of Florida. Hope this helps, let us know which it is!

-Jordan