Eastern Chicken Turtle
Deirochelys reticularia reticularia

Common Name:	Chicken Turtle
Scientific Name:	Deirochelys reticularia reticularia
Etymology:
Genus:	Deirochelys is derived from the Greek word deire which means "neck" and chelys which means "tortoise".
Species:	reticularia is from the Latin word reticulatus which means netlike referring to the pattern on the carapace.
Subspecies:	reticularia is from the Latin word reticulatus which means netlike referring to the pattern on the carapace.
Average Length:	4 - 6 in. (10 - 15.2 cm)
Virginia Record Length:	7.9 in. (20 cm)
Record length:	10 in. (25.4 cm)

 

Virginia Wildlife Action Plan Rating Tier I - Critical Conservation Need - Faces an extremely high risk of extinction or extirpation. Populations of these species are at critically low levels, facing immediate threat(s), or occur within an extremely limited range. Intense and immediate management action is needed.

 

Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service: Species Booklet

Photos:

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