Florida cooter

The most common turtle basking on logs along rivers and lakes, the Florida cooter is one of Florida’s largest freshwater turtles, up to a foot long or more. Its dark, rounded shell often becomes coated with green algae from the river.

Florida river cooter on a log — River cooter sunning along the Silver River

In downtown Inverness, Cooter Pond Park is named for the ubiquitous number of turtles found in its waters. A large sculpture of turtles faces the US 41 walk-in entrance to the boardwalk over the pond.

Cooter Pond Park In downtown Inverness, Cooter Pond Park is a great place for birding and watching the turtles beneath the extensive boardwalk over the pond.