January 5, 2025

I am a Peninsular Cooter

Notice the yellow stripes on my face and neck

My front claws

Aren't very long

So I'm either female or very well kempt.

Location: Lake Woodruff WMA

Sources: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/reptiles/freshwater-turtles/cooters

Photo and text © 2025 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

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February 13, 2023

I am a Peninsular Cooter

Researchers think that I might tittilate my mate

That means I quickly vibrate my claws in front of her face

If she is impressed, we go out on a date.

Location: Gleason Park, Indian Harbour Beach

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pseudemys_peninsularis

https://www.stcnature.org/turtle-courtship

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 21, 2022

I'm known as a Peninsular Cooter

I can live up to 30 years

The ability to parent is not always inherent,

I build a nest, lay eggs then disappear.

Location: Goodwin Wildlife Management Area, Fellsmere

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pseudemys_peninsularis/

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 4, 2021

I am a Peninsular Cooter, 

I live in swamps and other fresh water

I am strictly an herbivore, I never eat fish

Plants are the only thing that I will slaughter*

*As described in the link below, humans are one of the Peninsular Cooter's predators. Fishermen are known to shoot Cooters on the mistaken belief that turtles kill and eat game fish. 

Location: Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay

Sources: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pseudemys_peninsularis/

Photo and text © 2021 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

November 8, 2019

Location: Circle B Bar Reserve, Lakeland

I am a Florida Red-bellied Cooter
Notice the red highlights on my shell
I can be found throughout most of Florida
And southeastern Georgia as well.

Sources: Animal Diversity Web: Pseudemys nelsoni - Florida Redbelly Turtle

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Location: Lake Mirror, Lakeland

I am a Peninsular Cooter
Compare and contrast me with the Red-bellied
He has straight lines on the back of his head
Mine are more swirled, almost like an eddie.

Note: Another clue to Peninsular Cooter ID, as described in the link below, is location - they are not as widespread as the Red-bellied.

Sources: Animal Diversity Web - Pseudemys peninsularis - Peninsula Cooter


Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

June 8, 2018

Location: St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park

I am a Peninsula Cooter
Here's a clever nesting ruse that I deploy:
I dig 3 holes, and lay most of my eggs in one,
And use the other 2 as predator decoys.

Sources: Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo - Florida Cooter Pseudemys peninsularis

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 28, 2018

Location: Turkey Creek Sanctuary, Palm Bay

I'm a Peninsula Cooter,
I'm a large pond turtle and herbivore.
I live in the Florida peninsula,
Which is where I commonly occur.

Sources: Reptiles Magazine - Cooter Turtles

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson