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Florida Terrapin
- Colouration
- Carapace black or dark brown, with wavy yellow crossbars. Each of the marginal shields has a single, vertical yellow line in the centre; here we note a difference in pattern from the most nearly related species, the Mobile Terrapin (Chrysemys mobiliensis and C. concinna.) and the Cooter. (Chrysemys mobiliensis and C. concinna.) on both of which the marginal shields contain, besides the upright bar, numerous concentric lines of the same colour.
- Dimensions
- Following are the measurements of an example from the St. John's River, Florida:
- Distribution
- From the records at hand, this species seems to be restricted to southern Georgia and Florida.
At once distinguished by the very high and dome-like carapace and the diminutive head. One of the largest species.
The plastron of the Florida Terrapin is immaculate lemon yellow.
Head intensely black, with a few, fine, yellow lines. The most vivid stripe is from behind the eye to the neck; the chin stripes are wide.
Length of Carapace . . . . . 13 inches.
Height of Shell (Note the very high shell and the small head.) . . . . . 5 3/4 inches.
Width of Carapace . . . . . 9 inches.
Length of Plastron . . . . . 12 1/2 inches.
Width, Flat Portion, of Plastron . . . . . 5 inches.
Width of Head (Note the very high shell and the small head.) . . . . . 1 1/2 inches.
Weight . . . . . 14 1/2 lbs.
Small or even half-grown individuals do not exhibit the marked, globular formation of the carapace; their shell is much like that of C. concinna; the dome-like development appears with maturity.