Eastern River Cooter

Eastern River Cooter

Animals

Eastern river cooters, also known as gulf cooters, are the largest emydid turtles in Oklahoma. Toes are webbed on hind- and forelegs and the shell is relatively low in profile, smooth, and with no mid-dorsal ridge. The plastron has no hinges and is large. Background color of the carapace and skin is dark green. The carapace has an intricate pattern of orange to yellow curved lines that form half circles and circles on some scutes. The center of each marginal scute has a vertical yellow or orange line. Where marginal scutes come together, light circles with a center light spot exist. Dark, circular marks, as circles within circles, are present on the underside of marginals. A series of yellow lines run back from the eyes and along the top of the head, but there are no enlarged blotches of color on the neck as in the red-eared slider and the Ouachita map turtle. The plastron is yellow with dark markings that fade with age.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/wildlife/nongamespecies/eastern-river-cooter

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation

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