Family: Emydidae, Pond and Box Turtles view all from this family

Description 7 1/2-15 7/8" (19.1-40.3 cm). Wide vertical stripe, often forked at one or both ends, on 2nd costal scute. Carapace brownish with yellow markings; marginals have central bars on upper surface. Pair of white to yellow "hairpin" markings on top of head (may be interrupted). Plastron yellow to yellow-orange, patternless. Male has elongated claws on front feet.

Breeding Nests in spring. Lays 2 or more clutches of 4-22 elliptical eggs, 1 3/8" (35 mm) long. Females sometimes dig one or more nest cavities several inches away from the main nest chamber and lay a single egg in each. Most hatchlings are seen in spring. Incubation takes 80-150 days. Males mature in 3 years, females in 6-7.

Habitat Large ponds, lakes, spring runs, canals, and sluggish rivers with abundant aquatic vegetation and basking sites.

Range Florida peninsula, including the Everglades.

Discussion This species was formerly considered a subspecies of River Cooter (P. concinna).