Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Watery Wednesday: Turtles

I do not see many turtles out any more at this time of the year but with sunny skies and temps up in the 60s I would not to surprised to see turtles out basking in the sun. Most turtles hibernate during the winter. They swim down to the bottom of a pond and burrow in the mud, where they can spend several months. The cold temps help them to go into a type of suspended state that slows down their metabolism. At this time they do not need to eat and are able to absorb oxygen from the water through the skin on their necks and the base of their tale. As long as the pond does not completely freeze and they are not found by predators they can survive this way through out the winter.

7 comments:

Maggie May said...

Last time I saw turtles loose in a pond was when I was in Japan.

I loved this photo.

Nuts in May

Michael said...

Yeah - that well and truly trumps my frog. Super pic.

Carol said...

I love turtles...we see many that are sunning on the same log as the alligators.

www.riverwildlife.blogspot.com

Jim said...

He looks like a triumphant turtle in that pose.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

eileeninmd said...

Great shot, I love seeing the turtles lined up on the logs.

Mona Sweden said...

I've never seen turtels in the open air. Your are so lucky. Great shot!

EJ said...

thanks for this informative m post, great shot of the turtle!

Come and swim with the Whale shark