Painted Wood Turtle - Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima

This terrestrial turtle can grow to be 20 cm long. There are four subspecies recognized ranging from the west coast of Mexico through Central America, also found in Costa Rica. Jansen (1980) suggested that the bright red and yellow patterns of this species' carapace may be a coral snake mimicry pattern to frighten predators. This specimen died in captivity.

Carapace

Plastron