River Cooter Questions

[sapphire_moon]

I was wondering the basic requirements for a river cooter? Cage size, heat, if they should have land or all water? How big they get? And anything else you can think of! Thanks in advance for the info!!!!!

[KrokadilyanGuy3]

Asides the fact there are about 6 or so ssp of river cooters, all have basically the same delight.
They range from lengths of 8-16" depending on sex and ssp.
This species is highly herbivorous, river cooters will eat anything, plant or animal, dead or alive. Diet seems to be determined by available food items. Although this animal cannot swallow out of water, it will leave the water to retrieve a tasty bug or worm, returning to the water to swallow. Cooters will also enthusiatically chase, kill and eat small fish. They have also been observed eating carrion found along the river's edge. River cooters have tooth-like cusps in the upper jaw, probably an adaptation to aid in eating leaves and fibrous vegetation.
Housing of River cooters is very similar to that of red ear sliders and a post I recently responded to has the housing of these animals, the post is titled 'Rescued Red Ear Slider'. The only thing is the enclosure may have to be larger if the animal(s) get larger than 8".
Good luck,
Xain

[Wu-Gwei]

I have a Pseudemys Nelsonii and it's one of the friendliest turtles ever. I have RESs also and I do not keep my cooter with the RES, The sliders are more aggressive and often harass the cooter.

The care if very similar to sliders, but requires much, MUCH more vegetation. Often my cooter will ignore live prey or pieces of fish and go for veggies. Most cooters get bigger than sliders, so down the road, you'll need a little pond or a big tank (75 gallons minimum for the bigger species).

Cheers,
JJ