Timothy Stark Raisbeck

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Chicken Turtles

Chicken Turtle

I had no idea the variety of fresh water life that we had in Bessie’s Creek until I experienced some of the turtles that live there. I assumed turtles populated the creek but didn’t realize the size that some of these turtles can reach. I happened to be sitting on the roadway bridge that overlooks the creek taking pictures of a squirrel sitting on a fence post when I heard noise below me. I looked down and happened to shoot a quick picture of the turtle that you see in the image. As a matter of fact there were two of the turtles but I was only able to get a picture of the one. Not knowing which variety of turtle I had seen, a little research led me to the “Chicken Turtle” which is quite common in Texas ditches, creeks, bogs, etc.

The Chicken Turtle has a beautiful reticulated shell and vertically striped rump. Its good looks along with its attentive nature are some of its endearing qualities. The name ‘chicken turtle’ unfortunately comes from the early days when these turtles were eaten in very large numbers throughout the southeastern United States. They are said to be quite good, tasting “like chicken.”

Chicken turtles are good captives. They are baskers, very shy and alert, plopping into the water at the approach of their keeper. They will soon become tame and though they will dive off into the water, they will quickly re-surface to see if any food has been offered. They do get larger than most first-time pet buyers realize however, with adult females reaching 11-12” inches within five or six years.

Chicken Turtles

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