D. r. chrysea Schwartz, 1956 D. r. miaria Schwartz, 1956 D. r. reticularia Latreille, 1801
Synonyms
Species synonymy[4][5][6]
Testudo reticularia Latreille, 1801
Testudo reticulata Daudin, 1801
Emys reticularia Schweigger, 1814
Emys reticulata Say, 1824
Terrapene reticulata Bonaparte, 1831
Clemmys reticulata Fitzinger, 1835
Deirochelys reticulata Agassiz, 1857
Clemmys reticularia Strauch, 1862
Chrysemys reticulata Cope, 1875
Dirochelys reticularia Baur, 1890
Hirochelys reticulata Beyer, 1900
The chicken turtle (Deirochelys reticularia) is a turtle native to the southeastern United States. It is the only extant member of the genus Deirochelys and is a member of the freshwater marsh turtle family Emydidae. The chicken turtle's scientific name refers to its extremely long neck and distinctive net-like pattern on its upper shell. There are three regionally distinct subspecies (eastern, western and Florida), which are thought to have evolved when populations became separated during periods of glaciation. These subspecies can be distinguished by their appearance; the western chicken turtle displays dark markings along the seams of its plastron (lower shell), while the plastron of the Florida subspecies is a bright yellow or orange color. Fossil records show that the chicken turtle has been present in the region for up to five million years.
Chicken turtles inhabit shallow, still or slow-moving bodies of water with plenty of vegetation and a muddy substrate. They are not found in rivers or deeper lakes that may be home to predators such as alligators and large fish. The chicken turtle is predominantly carnivorous and feeds mostly on invertebrates such as crayfish, dragonflies and spiders, but is also known to eat tadpoles, carrion and occasionally plant material. It is an active hunter and its long neck allows it to catch fast-moving prey. Although feeding and mating take place in aquatic environments, the chicken turtle is very well adapted to living on land and may spend more than half the year out of the water. Like many reptiles, it spends much of the day basking in the sun to regulate its body temperature, but unlike most other aquatic turtles, it hibernates over the winter months except in the warmer, southernmost reaches of its range.
The chicken turtle is relatively small compared to other related turtles, with males measuring up to around 16.5 cm (6.5 in) and females around 26.0 cm (10.2 in). It is also one of the world's shortest-lived turtles, reaching a maximum age of 20–24 years. There are thought to be around 100,000 adult chicken turtles in the wild. Although the population as a whole is considered secure, its status in some areas is less certain and several states have listed it as threatened or introduced regulations to manage hunting or taking. The word "chicken" in the turtle's vernacular name is apparently a reference to the taste of its meat, which was once popular in turtle soup and commonly sold in southern markets.
^Fritz, Uwe; Havaš, Peter (2007). "Checklist of Chelonians of the World" (PDF). Vertebrate Zoology. 57 (2): 179–180. doi:10.3897/vz.57.e30895. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
The chickenturtle (Deirochelys reticularia) is a turtle native to the southeastern United States. It is the only extant member of the genus Deirochelys...
genus of freshwater turtle in the family Emydidae, the pond and marsh turtles. It contains one extant species, the chickenturtle (Deirochelys reticularia)...
"Turtles all the way down" is an expression of the problem of infinite regress. The saying alludes to the mythological idea of a World Turtle that supports...
Chicken soup is a soup made from chicken, simmered in water, usually with various other ingredients. The classic chicken soup consists of a clear chicken...
The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large species of turtle in the family Chelydridae. The species is endemic to freshwater habitats...
species, the red-eared slider, can now be found in many parts of the world. "Turtles of the World: Trachemys scripta". Archived from the original on 2012-03-15...
Mock turtle soup is an English soup that was created in the mid-18th century as an imitation of green turtle soup. It often uses brains and organ meats...
Trionychidae are a taxonomic family of a number of turtle genera, commonly known as softshell turtles. The family was erected by Leopold Fitzinger in 1826...
The Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is a species of softshell turtle that is native to mainland China (Inner Mongolia to Guangxi, including...
one species of crocodilian, 12 lizard species, 49 snake species, and 31 turtle species. Three native species have possibly been extirpated from the state...
Turtle soup, also known as terrapin soup, is a soup or stew made from the meat of turtles. Several versions of the soup exist in different cultures, and...
the Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) in the larger rivers, and several records of the rare chickenturtle (Deirochelys reticularia)...
list of reptiles of Texas includes the snakes, lizards, crocodilians, and turtles native to the U.S. state of Texas. Texas has a large range of habitats...
on "Chicken Little Was Right" Lee Michaels - organ on "Buzzsaw" Arrangements by The Turtles and Chip Douglas Album layout designed by The Turtles Photography...
under artificial conditions, especially those of fish, poultry or even turtles. It may be used for ex situ conservation purposes, i.e. to breed rare or...
and garlic Charquicán, a Chilean dish Chicken stew, whole chicken and seasonings Chicken paprikash, chicken stew with paprika Chili con carne, a meat...
The bog turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii) is a critically endangered species of semiaquatic turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to the...
with rice as a central filler, from Cajun Louisiana Chicken and dumplings Chicken fried steak Chicken gizzards—fried Chitlins (chitterlings)—small intestine...
list of chicken dishes. Chicken is the most common type of poultry/meat in the world, and was one of the first domesticated animals. Chicken is a major...
Global Information
