Posted: 4/14/04

Painted Turtle

You will recognize the painted turtle if you approach a quiet bay in the mid-day sun, either on foot or in a canoe. The turtle will be out of the water-but not by much. It will have crawled up the side of a partially submerged log. A notorious sun worshiper, it may appear to be sleeping, but the slightest movement will send it scuttling into the water.

This turtle is much smaller than the snapper, and much more active during the day. Extremely shy, it avoids all but the most direct confrontation, and then retreats into its shell. Though its upper shell is drab, the skin and lower shell are intricately decorated. It is social-if the log is too small for the turtles at hand, they stack up and enjoy the sun in layers! They may also winter in groups, partially buried in mud under water, and "breathing" at a slow rate through their skin.

If you have enjoyed relaxing in the the sun, you will identify with this animal. It basks for an hour or two, returns to the water to forage, then comes back to bask again. I do not pretend to understand turtle body language, but when I see one on a log, its head extended, I understand how good it feels to rest in the sunshine of a beautiful summer day.

We have recently revised our view of sunbathing. I wonder if the turtle's shell is vulnerable to harmful radiation from the sun. It would be interesting to know if the basking habits of turtles have changed along with atmospheric conditions.

Among the infinite designs of living beings, there are some that almost everyone would instantly recognize as artistic. It is good that such intricate beauty arises each spring, out of the mud at the bottom of a northern river.

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