Why Turtles Sunbathe
As the day get warmer, sun-seeking turtles gather at the
water’s edge, perched on logs, rocks, and riverbanks.
These reptilian sunbathers are not after golden tans; rather
they are absorbing the heat and light of the sun.
Turtles cannot generate their own body heat like we do, so they must find other ways to regulate their body temperature. By basking in the sun they are able to raise their body temperatures, which makes them more active, and helps with food digestion, removal of parasites like leeches, and egg development for females. The sun’s ultraviolet rays are also necessary to help turtles manufacture vitamin D for healthy bones. But there can be too much of good thing! Turtles will overheat if left exposed to the sun too long. To cool down, turtle must retreat to cool water or shade.
On beautiful, sunny days, turtles of several different
species can be seen basking together, sometimes stacked
on top of
each other. When one of the turtles decides to go back into
the water, they all go—whether they are ready or not.
Some of the freshwater turtles that can be found locally
are
eastern painted turtles (the most commonly seen), red-eared
sliders, snapping turtles, and red-bellied turtles.
