Florida red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni)

Short answers

Florida red-bellied cooter: How big does the enclosure need to be?

200×80 cm aquarium.

Florida red-bellied cooter: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 35 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Florida red-bellied cooter: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Florida red-bellied cooter: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 30–40 years.

Florida red-bellied cooter: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

35 °C

Humidity

Aquatic

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

200×80 cm aquarium

Substrate

Water 35–50 cm deep, sand, a basking spot

Feeding

Food

Mostly water plants and greens, little animal food

Feeding interval

plant food daily

Key facts

Adult size

25–35 cm

Life expectancy

30–40 years

Origin

Florida

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; observe the EU trade restrictions on sliders

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 6–10 °C

Cohabitation

Solitary housing is the simplest option. A 1,2 trio (one male, two females) is also possible, with the option to separate the male temporarily during constant courtship - two males otherwise harass each other and the females.

Notes

Adults are mainly plant eaters – too much animal food damages the kidneys. It grows large and needs plenty of water volume and strong filtration.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Florida red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Florida cooter (Pseudemys floridana) – Intermediate
• River cooter (Pseudemys concinna) – Intermediate
• Peninsula cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis) – Intermediate
• Red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris) – Intermediate
• Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra) – Intermediate
• Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) – Intermediate
• Cumberland slider (Trachemys scripta troostii) – Intermediate
• D'Orbigny's slider (Trachemys dorbigni) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Florida red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys nelsoni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (200×80 cm aquarium), substrate (Water 35–50 cm deep, sand, a basking spot), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.