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Northern map turtles spend the winter under water and do not surface to breathe, especially when ice cover makes this impossible. Adults rest on the bottom or wedged underneath rocks or logs and often hibernate communally with other northern map turtles where they may remain somewhat active throughout the entirety of the winter. [9]
Box turtles can be injured by dogs and cats, so special care must be taken to protect them from household pets. Box turtles require an outdoor enclosure (although they can have indoor enclosures when necessary), consistent exposure to light and a varied diet. Without these, a turtle's growth can be stunted and its immune system weakened.
The turtle's neck and sides are brown on the tops and yellow on the sides and bottom. [9] The turtle's shell is divided into two sections: carapace and plastron. The carapace is further divided into large plates, or scutes. [20] Typically, 11 or 12 pairs of marginal scutes rim the carapace. [8]
The turtle uses its paws like a bear for hunting and slicing food, while biting it. Despite this, a common snapping turtle cannot use its claws for either attacking (its legs have no speed or strength in "swiping" motions) or eating (no opposable thumbs), but only as aids for digging and gripping. Veterinary care is best left to a reptile ...
The spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) is a species of softshell turtle, one of the largest freshwater turtle species in North America. Both the common name, spiny softshell, and the specific name , spinifera (spine-bearing), refer to the spiny, cone-like projections on the leading edge of the carapace , which are not scutes (scales).
The coloring of the plastron can vary anywhere from solid yellow to solid black, with any number of variations in between. This turtle has sharp claws as well as a sharp beak used for catching small insects and eating fruits, vegetables, and fungi. [7] The Florida box turtle exhibits significant sexual dimorphism. On average, males are larger ...
The box turtle has a distinctive hinged lower shell that allows it to completely enclose itself, like a box. Its upper jaw is hooked. The turtle is primarily terrestrial and eats a wide variety of plants and animals. The females lay their eggs in the summer. Turtles in the northern part of their range hibernate over the winter.
Searching for water, food, or mates, the painted turtles travel up to several kilometers at a time. [164] During summer, in response to heat and water-clogging vegetation, the turtles may vacate shallow marshes for more permanent waters. [164] Short overland migrations may involve hundreds of turtles together. [100]