Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is the second thread with which I need help with an I.D.

Again taken in the Homosassa River in Old Homosassa, Florida in June 2005. I suspect this is a Peninsula Cooter, but can't be sure.

Not helped by the amount of algae growth on the plastron.

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[email}d.mangham@virgin.net[/email]

Homosassa is part of the range where the 2 subspecies, peninsularis and floridana, meet. So it could be one or the other or a cross between the 2. If you had a picture of the top of the head you could tell which subspecie

Thanks,

Unfortunately this is the only picture I have. I'll keep on trying though.......

Dave
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[email}d.mangham@virgin.net[/email]

Hm...I think that looks more like P. nelsoni to me. The markings on the head are a bit too wide to look like the other native cooters to that area.
~Mike

Thanks Mike,

Looking at an A4 print from this photo I can't see any 'cusps' on the mouth of this animal. The mouth shape seems to present a smooth curve from one side to the other. I think it was this aspect that led me towards my original tentative id. Also the stripes running from the top of the head, which look as if they could be extensions of the 'hairpin' shapes on the top of the head of peninsularis. Also the lack of any obvious markings on the plastron. It looks as if, in the absence of a shot of the top of the head I'm going to be forced into a sp. designation.

I'd still welcome any further thoughts!

Dave
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[email}d.mangham@virgin.net[/email]

Definitely a Florida Redbelly (nelsoni). The big "Y" around the mouth is decisive in ID.

Mike is right, definitely a river cooter.

Thanks all, Mike, Dan and Matt.

As I'm from a 'turtle free' environment I need all the help I can get. The field guides can only help so far, nothing beats experience and a familiarity with something in the field.

Dave
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[email}d.mangham@virgin.net[/email]