Wild underwater footage at end! Cooter fun facts below: Cooters can live up to 40 years and females have delayed maturity and may not lay their first nest until they are 10 years old. The name “Cooter” (scientifically known as Pseudemys concinna concinna) originates from the African word “kuta”. This word means “turtle” in the Bambara and Malinké languages. Over time “kuta” evolved into “cooter,” becoming the common name for this freshwater turtle species. Florida cooters, also known as river co