Turtles
Spiny Softshell Turtles
General Information
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Spiny softshell turtles are large, freshwater turtles. They differ from other turtles in that their carapace (shell) is soft and flat with small spines on the edge (hence the name). Females can have a shell size anywhere from 7-19 inches, while males are smaller at 5-9 inches.
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The turtles eat things like aquatic insects, crayfish, and fish. To feed, the turtles will sit underwater buried in the sand where they'll stick their heads out to catch things that come by. They usually mate during the late spring, and breeding can sometimes occur more than once during one year.
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Fun fact: They spend about half a year underwater (October-April).
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Spiny Softshell Turtles at the Boneyard
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On a sunny day you can usually find a couple of the turtles sitting out on the basking rocks at the 2nd Stree Basin. Don't get too close though, or they'll slip right back into the water!
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Red-Eared Sliders
General Information
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Red-eared sliders get their name from their tendency to quickly slide back into the water. They can live in many different aquatic environments, under the condition that there is enough vegetation for them to feed on. In addition, the area should have plenty of rocks for the turtles to bask on, as this is a primary aspect of their day-to-day life.
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Red-eared sliders are increasingly supporting a large pet trade in Asia and Europe. Many of these turtles are being released into the wild, and as a result many of these areas are struggling with the invasiveness of the species and facing a decline in native poppulations.
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Red-Eared Sliders at the Boneyard
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Though Red-Eared Sliders are not incredibly common at the boneyard, they can occasionally be seen sitting out on the basking rocks at the Second Stree Basin.
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Painted Turtles
Painted turtles are easily distinguishable by the red marks on their body that give them their name. The turtles are very widely distributed all over the United States, and North America, sticking to quiet, aquatic environments such as ponds, bogs, and slow-moving rivers. Ideal habitats for them have plenty of underwater vegation and areas for basking. They do their feeding under the water and their diet consists of vegetation, as well as things like mussels, fish, insects, and snails.
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Breeding for the painted turtles is most common in April, though it may occur anytime between March and June. The males wave their claws in front of the females in a breeding ritual, and after mating, the females leave to look for somewhere to nest. There, they lay their eggs and leave them. The temperature of the nest affects the sex of the offspring in that warmer temperatures lean towards female, while cooler temperatures lean towards male. During the winter, they retreat to the mud in hibernation until March.
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