chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia)

Photos

Distribution Map

Characteristics

This is a moderate-sized freshwater turtle that is similar in appearance to the eastern painted turtle, Chrysemys picta, but has an extraordinarily long neck, an elongated, finely wrinkled, and reticulated carapace, and vertical striping on the rump. The average carapace length is about 5 inches. The carapace is brown to olive with a reticulate (netlike) yellow to light brown pattern. Black spots may be present on the underside of the marginal scutes. The plastron is usually plain yellow, and some turtles may have a poorly defined, faded posterior blotch. Thin yellow stripes appear on the black skin of the neck. Juveniles are colored and patterned as adults but are brighter. No other Virginia turtle has such a long head and neck. This species may nest at anytime during the year; no description of reproductive behavior has been published. The female can retain eggs for up to 6 months when nesting conditions are not right. When she does lay, she may lay 7 to 15 eggs. Chicken turtles are basking turtles, sometimes seen on logs and stumps. This species is given to wandering long distances from water and can often be found along road sides and in flat woods.

Distribution

Chicken turtles are known in Virginia only from Seashore State Park, in the City of Virginia Beach. The Virginia population is apparently an isolated one. It inhabits the freshwater cypress ponds located among the forested dunes in Seashore State Park.

Foods

This species eats mainly tadpoles and crayfish, but will also consume plants. It is considered omnivorous but seems to prefer animal food.

More Information

For more information, please visit the Virginia Fish & Wildlife Information Service (direct link to species booklet).