Happy World Turtle Day!
This day was created to celebrate and protect turtles, tortoises, and their endangered habitats. Patton Bonnin of Houston Arboretum sent over some turtle facts to help us celebrate the big day.
- All turtles lay their eggs on land — even sea turtles! The female turtle digs a chamber, lays her eggs, covers them up, and heads back out.
- Snapping turtles have pink tongues that resemble worms. The turtles will bury themselves in the bottom of the pond with their wiggly tongues sticking out. Turtles quickly snap their mouths closed when a hungry fish swims by, ambushing the unsuspecting prey! CHOMP!
- Box turtles have a hinged plastron (bottom of the shell) that allow them to completely close up their shells to hide. This survival technique helps to keep them safe from predators. Snapping turtles really do snap! If you see one, do not pick it up.
- Look for the red-eared sliders basking on logs in the water or along the banks of the ponds.
