Chicken Turtle (Deirochelys reticularia)

Caught this Chicken Turtle working her way into a nice cool swim. Their name references the taste of their meat, which years ago, popular in Southern markets. This particular turtle is a female...I'm working from her size more than anything making this comment. Male Chicken Turtles are typically smaller and this old girl was very large and mature. They live roughly 20-25 years and my thought is she is well into old age now. Note the circular round dark marks along the yellow section of her shell...very intricate and unique.