The Suwannee Cooter
Pseudemys suwanniensis
In the African languages of Bambara
and Malink
é,
the word for Turtle is Kuta,
from which the word Cooter is derived.
This freshwater Turtle has bright yellow markings
and can grow up to sixteen inches in length.
It is on the Species of Special Concern
list
and is protected in Florida.
An unusual trait of the Cooter, is in their manner
of placement on logs in the water, stacking
themselves
on top of each other like pancakes on a
plate.
A Cooter can frequently be observed sunning
itself on the same log as an Alligator, seemingly
at peace with one another.
The Cooter is safe from becoming a Gator
meal unless it is young, in which case,
it may be in serious trouble.
Places to learn more:
