The Suwannee cooter (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis), the largest emydid turtle, inhabits a small number of rivers that drain into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The status of this state-listed subspecies in the southernmost of these rivers, the Alafia, is unknown and hence of conservation concern.
Reports of this species in this river are sparse since the collection of the first ...more ↓
The Suwannee cooter (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis), the largest emydid turtle, inhabits a small number of rivers that drain into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. The status of this state-listed subspecies in the southernmost of these rivers, the Alafia, is unknown and hence of conservation concern.
Reports of this species in this river are sparse since the collection of the first specimens in 1953. After a hiatus of at least a quarter century, a 2014 discovery of 17 hatchlings documented the continued existence of a reproducing population. This river experienced a major environmental accident in 1997 when the Mulberry Phosphate Company spilled ~50 million gallons of acidic water into the river, which created lethal conditions for all wildlife.
We created this project for residents along, and visitors to, the Alafia River to easily record sighting of this species. These records are highly beneficial and aid is mapping the distribution of this species in this river.
less ↑
Suwannee Cooter - Alafia River Project
turtltim
created this project on January 3, 2015
