- Origin: United States
- Class: Reptiles
- Order: Chelonniens
- Suborder: Cryptodires
- Family: Emydidae
Found in the south of the United States, it is very widespread on the Mississippi rivers. It is a river, lake and pond turtle, preferring waters with slow currents. It has a J-shaped or boomerang-shaped line above the eye, and the edges of the back of its carapace can be saw-toothed. When it is juvenile, it has fairly pronounced dorsal spines that allow algae to easily cling to the carapace for camouflage.
Males reach sexual maturity at around five years of age and females at around eight years. Females can reach over 25 cm while males remain smaller with 15 cm. In captivity, they can live for more than 35 years, as they have no predators.
IUCN Status : least concern (Appendix III)