Turtle species > Info > Peninsula Cooter Turtle

Peninsula Cooter Turtle

The Peninsula Cooter Turtle (also known as the Pseudemys Peninsularis) is a turtle frequently found on the Florida Peninsula. However, it is generally imported or exported as pets to those who would otherwise want red eared terrapins or red bellied turtles. However, they tend to be a bit larger than these other species. They can grow up to a size of sixteen inches (with the males being the smaller of the two).
These turtles are omnivores however; they do tend to lean toward the carnivorous side of things. It is common for people to feed their Peninsula Cooter Turtle a diet of red meat and vegetation. However, the type of meat that you feed them is of the utmost importance. You should feed your new turtle a little bit of everything; from earthworms, sprats, watercress, prawns, snails, rabbit, crab, spiders, pinkie mice, and other broad-leafed greens.
Fortunately for breeders, this type of turtle is fairly easy to sex. Meaning, it is easy to determine the gender of the animal. However, that is after they have matured. The ease of finding the right gender is due to the fact that the females are much larger than males; also the fact that the males grow much longer claws on their front feet.