The river cooter (Pseudemys concinna) is a species of freshwater turtle in the family Emydidae.

The species is native to the central and eastern United States, but has been introduced into parts of California, Washington, and British Columbia.

[3] P. concinna is found from Virginia south to central Georgia, west to eastern Texas, Oklahoma, and north to southern Indiana.

It is not unusual for it to wander from one body of fresh water to another, but many individuals seem to develop fairly large home ranges, which they seldom or never leave.

It doesn't breathe during this time of low metabolism, but can utilize oxygen from the water, which it takes in through the cloaca.

The river cooter prefers to be well hidden under aquatic plants during the winter dormancy period or while sleeping each night.

[9] The species P. concinna is highly herbivore and will eat anything, plant or animal, dead or alive.

The river cooter has tooth-like cusps in the upper jaw, probably an adaptation to aid in eating leaves and fibrous vegetation.

[9] The river cooter is faced with loss of habitat, predation by animals, slaughter on the highways, and use as a food source by some people.

Populations are down in some areas, and there have been increasing reports of injured turtles, but this species as a whole is hardy, and continues to thrive.

A hatchling will have a round carapace, about 1.5 inches (4 cm) diameter, that is green with bright yellow markings.

Younger ones tend to seek a more protein enriched diet such as aquatic invertebrates, crustaceans, and fish.

The river cooter can sometimes be found basking in the sun, but is very wary and will quickly retreat into the water if approached.

A fine of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year is the penalty for those who refuse to comply with a valid final demand for destruction of such turtles or their eggs.

"[12] As with many other animals and inanimate objects, the risk of Salmonella exposure can be reduced by following basic rules of cleanliness.