Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia)

Uncommon in NC, Chicken Turtles may be found in quiet waters of the sandhills and southeast coastal plain.


Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia)
Scotland Co., NC
18 Feb 2007

Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia)
Scotland Co., NC
18 Feb 2007

Chicken Turtles have a finely reticulate pattern on their shells, hence the scientific name.

Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia)
Scotland Co., NC
18 Feb 2007

The undersides are usually plain yellow.

Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia)
Scotland Co., NC
18 Feb 2007

In NC, only Chicken Turtles show a broad yellow band along the forelimb.

Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia)
Scotland Co., NC
18 Feb 2007
Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia)
Scotland Co., NC
18 Feb 2007

Note the vertical yellow and black bars on the back of the thighs.


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Created on ... Feb 20, 2007 | Updated on ... Feb 20, 2007 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com