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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]
Water temperature should be kept between 72 and 80 °F (22–27 °C) and properly filtered. [11] Keeping fish with turtles is usually avoided due to the risk that the turtle will eat the fish. Sliders need a basking area that is kept warm during the day and that will allow the turtle to move around, balance, and dry off completely.
The age of a growing box turtle in the wild cannot be accurately estimated by counting the growth rings on the scutes; Their growth is directly affected by the amount of food, types of food, water, illness, and more. Box turtle eggs are flexible, oblong and are (depending on the taxon) on average 2–4 cm long weighing 5-11 g.
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).
Basking turtles sometimes look like they are crying because behind the turtles eye is the lachrymal gland which stores excess salt from the sea water, which then expels through the turtles eye. In the winter months, turtles living at higher latitudes can hibernate for a short period in the mud. [87]
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]