Ala. Red-Bellied Turtle
Sweet Homegrown Alabama
— Alabama State Reptile —
Alabama red-bellied turtles live almost exclusively in the fresh and brackish water of the Mobile Delta of Alabama and Mississippi, feed almost entirely on aquatic plants.
The life expectancy for this large turtle is about 50 years in the wild.
The Alabama red-bellied turtle is one of seven “cooter” species of freshwater turtle, with that name deriving from the word for turtle, kuto, brought to the Southeast by enslaved peoples from the West African nation of Mali.
Alabama 200 Bicentennial
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Animals. A significant historical year for this entry is 1987.
Location. 34° 42.578′ N, 86° 37.975′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. Marker can be reached from Bob Wallace Avenue Southwest. Located within the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville AL 35805, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Columns (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Jesup Wagon (about 400 feet away); Van Valkenburgh Daylily Garden
Also see . . . . Alabama Red-Bellied Turtle at the Encyclopedia of Alabama website. (Submitted on January 27, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 27, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.