Roadless Areas
Home/Species/ Northern Red-bellied Cooter

Pseudemys rubriventris

(LeConte, 1830)

Northern Red-bellied Cooter

G4Apparently Secure Found in 2 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Near threatenedIUCN
PSESA Status
MediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.106410
Element CodeARAAD07050
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNNear threatened
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassChelonia
OrderTestudines
FamilyEmydidae
GenusPseudemys
USESAPS
Synonyms
Chrysemys rubriventris
Other Common Names
Redbelly Turtle (EN)
Concept Reference
King, F. W., and R. L. Burke, editors. 1989. Crocodilian, tuatara, and turtle species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Association of Systematics Collections, Washington, D.C. 216 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
Sometimes has been placed in the genus Chrysemys. A study of morphological variation throughout the range concluded that the recognition of subspecies is not warranted (Iverson and Graham 1990). In the Atlantic drainages of the east-central U.S., P. rubriventris is morphologically distinct from P. floridana and P. concinna, though in the southern part of its range rubriventris is somewhat morphologically convergent with floridana; this may reflect hybridization or convergent evolution (Seidel and Palmer 1991). See Seidel (1994) for a morphometric analysis and taxonomic treatment of the genus Pseudemys.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-10-19
Change Date2025-10-19
Edition Date2025-10-19
Edition AuthorsGundy, R. L. (2025)
Threat ImpactMedium
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank Reasons
This species has a wide range in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain. The population suffered historical declines primarily due to habitat loss and pollution. Recent population trends are unknown. This species continues to face threats from pollution and competition from invasive turtle species.
Range Extent Comments
This species occurs in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain from central New Jersey to North Carolina, westward in the Potomac River to eastern West Virginia. There is also a disjunct population in Plymouth County, southeastern Massachusetts. Using Global Biodiversity Information (GBIF) (2025) records from 2000-2025, range extent is estimated to be 195,089 km² (RARECAT 2025).

There is a questionable record from Naushon Island, Massachusetts (Graham 1991). Introduced and possibly established in New York.
Occurrences Comments
Applying a 5 km separation distance to GBIF (2025) records from 2000-2025, 258 occurrences are estimated (RARECAT 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Populations along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania have declined as a result of the effects of industrial expansion, drainage of wetlands, water pollution, and application of pesticides to control mosquitos (Ernst et al. 1994, USFWS 2022). Invasive red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) have spread through much of the range of this species (Stone 2010, Duchak and Holzapfel 2011, Ambrose et al. 2024). Experimental evidence shows that competition with red-eared sliders reduces growth rates (Pearson et al. 2015). High nutrient loads from pollution can cause harmful cyanobacteria blooms, and cyanobacteria can cause shell diseases in this species (Getto 2021).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Relatively large deep bodies of water: creeks, rivers, marshes, ponds, lakes. Sometimes in brackish water. Massachusetts population in ponds only. Soft bottom and abundant aquatic vegetation preferred. Wanders on land, fall and spring. Eggs are laid in nests dug in soft soil in open areas usually within 100 yards of water (USFWS 1981). Often nests in tilled or disturbed soil (DeGraaf and Rudis 1983, Ernst and Barbour 1972).

Reproduction

Lays clutch(es) of about 8-20 eggs in June-July. Eggs hatch in 10-15 weeks; hatchlings may overwinter in nest and emerge in spring. Sexually mature in 5-6 years (USFWS 1981), or not until after 9 years (see DeGraaf and Rudis 1983).
Terrestrial Habitats
Sand/dune
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDRiparian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
PennsylvaniaS2Yes
MarylandS5Yes
District of ColumbiaS4Yes
North CarolinaS4Yes
New YorkSNANo
DelawareS5Yes
New JerseySUYes
West VirginiaS3Yes
VirginiaS4Yes
MassachusettsS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentLarge - restrictedSlight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
1.2 - Commercial & industrial areasLarge - restrictedSlight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
7 - Natural system modificationsRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
7.3 - Other ecosystem modificationsRestricted (11-30%)Moderate or 11-30% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8 - Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesPervasive (71-100%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
8.1 - Invasive non-native/alien species/diseasesPervasive (71-100%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
9 - PollutionLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
9.1 - Domestic & urban waste waterLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
9.2 - Industrial & military effluentsRestricted (11-30%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)
9.3 - Agricultural & forestry effluentsLarge (31-70%)Slight or 1-10% pop. declineHigh (continuing)

—

Roadless Areas (2)
Virginia (2)
AreaForestAcres
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
References (28)
  1. Ambrose, C., A. DeCesare, and R. M. Chambers. 2024. Population demographics of native red-bellied cooters and invasive red-eared sliders in a Virginia lake. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 23(1): 113–118.
  2. Browne, R. A., N. A. Haskell, C. R. Griffin, and J. W. Ridgeway. 1996. Genetic variation among populations of the redbelly turtle (<i>Pseudemys rubriventris</i>). Copeia 1996:192-195.
  3. Crother, B. I. (editor). 2017. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 8th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 43:1-104. [Updates in SSAR North American Species Names Database at: https://ssarherps.org/cndb]
  4. DeGraaf, R. M., and D. D. Rudis. 1983a. Amphibians and reptiles of New England. Habitats and natural history. Univ. Massachusetts Press. vii + 83 pp.
  5. Duchak, T., and C. Holzapfel. 2011. The relative abundances of native and non-native emydid turtles across an urban to rural habitat gradient in central New Jersey. Bulletin of New Jersey Academy of Sciences 56(2): 23-28.
  6. Ernst, C. H. 1985. Red-bellied turtle. Pgs. 267–270. In: Genoways, H.H. and F.J. Brenner, eds. Species of special concern in Pennsylvania. Carnegie Museum of Natural History Special Publication 11, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  7. Ernst, C. H., and R. W. Barbour. 1972. Turtles of the United States. Univ. Press of Kentucky, Lexington. x + 347 pp.
  8. Ernst, C. H., R. W. Barbour, and J. E. Lovich. 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. xxxviii + 578 pp.
  9. Fleming, J., J. F. Moore, H. Waddle, J. Martin, and E. H. Campbell Grant. 2022. Range-wide population projections for northern red-bellied cooters (<i>Pseudemys rubriventris</i>). Journal of Herpetology 56(3): 362-369. doi: 10.1670/21-065
  10. Getto, S. 2021. Investigating the effects of harmful cyanobacterial blooms on the vulnerability to shell disease of northern red-bellied turtles (<i>Pseudemys rubriventris</i>) in New Jersey. M.S. thesis. Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey. 68 pp.
  11. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
  12. Graham, T. E. 1991. <i>Pseudemys rubriventris</i>. Cat. Am. Amph. Rept. 510.1-510.4.
  13. Iverson, J. B. 1992. A revised checklist with distribution maps of the turtles of the world. Privately printed. Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana.
  14. Iverson, J. B., and T. E. Graham. 1990. Geographic variation in the redbelly turtle, <i>Pseudemys rubriventris</i> (Reptilia: Testudines). Ann. Carnegie Mus. 59:1-13.
  15. King, F. W., and R. L. Burke, editors. 1989. Crocodilian, tuatara, and turtle species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Association of Systematics Collections, Washington, D.C. 216 pp.
  16. Pearson, S. H., H. W. Avery, and J. R. Spotila. 2015. Juvenile invasive red-eared slider turtles negatively impact the growth of native turtles: Implications for global freshwater turtle populations. Biological Conservation 186: 115-121.
  17. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
  18. Seidel, M. E. 1994. Morphometric analysis and taxonomy of cooter and red-bellied turtles in the North American genus <i>Pseudemys</i> (Emydidae). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 1(2):117-130.
  19. Seidel, M. E., and C. H. Ernst. 1996. <i>Pseudemys</i>. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles 625.1-625.7.
  20. Seidel, M. E., and W. M. Palmer. 1991. Morphological variation in turtles of the genus <i>Pseudemys</i> (Testudines: Emydidae) from central Atlantic drainages. Brimleyana 17:105-135.
  21. Stone, J. E. 2010. Distribution and abundance of non-native red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta elegans) and native red-bellied turtles (Pseudemys rubriventris). M.S. thesis. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. 100 pp.
  22. Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (TTWG) [Rhodin, A. G. J., J. B. Iverson, R. Bour, U. Fritz, A. Georges, H. B. Shaffer, and P. P. van Dijk]. 2021. Turtles of the World: Annotated Checklist and Atlas of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status (9th Ed.). In: Rhodin, A. G. J., J. B. Iverson , P. P. van Dijk, C. B. Stanford, E. V. Goode, K. A. Buhlmann, and R. A. Mittermeier (Eds.). Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Chelonian Research Monographs 8:1–472. doi: 10.3854/crm.8.checklist.atlas.v9.2021.
  23. Turtle Taxonomy Working Group [van Dijk, P.P., Iverson, J.B., Shaffer, H.B., Bour, R., and Rhodin, A.G.J.]. 2012. Turtles of the world, 2012 update: annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution, and conservation status. In: Rhodin, A.G.J., Pritchard, P.C.H., van Dijk, P.P., Saumure, R.A., Buhlmann, K.A., Iverson, J.B., and Mittermeier, R.A. (Eds.). Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Chelonian Research Monographs No. 5:000.243-000.328. Online. Available: www.iucn-tftsg.org/cbftt/.
  24. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1981. Plymouth red-bellied turtle recovery plan.
  25. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1981. Plymouth red-bellied turtle recovery plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5. 13 pp.
  26. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2011. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; partial 90-day finding on a petition to list 404 species in the southeastern United States as threatened or endangered with critical habitat. Federal Register 76(187):59836-59862.
  27. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2020. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of 10 Northeastern Species. Federal Register 85(198):64527-64529.
  28. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2022. Northern red-bellied cooter Massachusetts population (<i>Pseudemys rubriventris</i>) 5 year review: summary and evaluation. New England Field Office, Concord, NH. 13 pp.