Alternate name: Northern Red-bellied Turtle, Plymouth Red-
bellied Turtle Family: Emydidae, Pond and Box Turtles view all
from this family Description Brown/black carapace, concave
scutes. Each scute has red bar. Stripe on head. Red plastron,
scutes lightly marked. Straight claws on front feet of males.
Dimensions 24.4-40cm. (10-15 3/4") Endangered Status The
Plymouth Red-bellied Turtle, a population of the Eastern Red-
bellied Turtle (sometimes known as P. r. bangsi), is on the U.S.
Endangered Species List. It is classified as endangered
throughout its range in Massachusetts. Plymouth Red-bellied
Turtles are very vulnerable to predation when young. Skunks,
raccoons, birds, and fish eat the eggs and/or the hatchlings.
The population of these turtles was reduced to between 200 and
300 individuals in the 1980s. Currently, measures are being
taken to preserve the turtle’s habitat and protect the nests.
Several “head start” programs are in place in Massachusetts to
help raise hatchlings until they are big enough to