Comments: Habitat includes rivers and their more permanent tributary streams (Garrett and Barker 1987), particularly larger, deeper stream pools with relatively clear water and sandy or rocky bottoms (Degenhardt and Christiansen 1990, Degenhardt et al. 1996). Occupied waters may have a muddy, sandy, or rocky bottom, and may or may not contain aquatic vegetation (Degenhardt et al. 1996). Degenhardt et al. (1996) reported a single, verified sight record for Willow Lake near Malaga, New Mexico. This species has been reported from the Bitter Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in Chaves County, New Mexico (Bundy 1951), where habitat consists of turbid ponds with soft, muddy bottoms, but Degenhardt et al. (1996) questioned the identification (no specimen from this locality was found). Individuals often bask on on logs, overhanging vegetation, or muddy banks, or at the water's surface (Degenhardt et al. 1996). Eggs are buried in soil near water.