Photograph by Paul Burnett.
Photography contest, Honorable Mention.
Trachemys scripta elegans -- red-eared slider, a non-native invasive species in California -- but very well established in the (former) habitat of the western pond turtle.
14 Comments
eric · 7 May 2012
Are they, um, necking?
Henry J · 7 May 2012
So it IS turtles all the way down!?!
(Yes, somebody had to say that!)
Paul Burnett · 7 May 2012
eric said:
Are they, um, necking?
I don't think so - they just stack up together like that to bask in the sun, and then slide into the water when they think they see a threat. Given that behavior, and the red markings behind their eyes, that's why they're called "Red-Eared Sliders."
I've got a video of one laying an egg at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwgosibvxM8&list=UUoBBtlK1R3vd9rBrkt1YbHg&index=25&feature=plcp
https://me.yahoo.com/a/7vOcEB0MlpZ6j2PE6yrejK3DA62rIew_3iSifTiQk7Gs..jL#5ae9c · 7 May 2012
Those turtle are vicious little bastards. They really are. I remember having a couple as a kid, little small round things. Cute enough when small, then they grow. Friend of mine has (by rescue) 7 of them. I had the misfortune of "baby sitting" while he and his wife went for swim with whale sharks. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/whale-shark/
After feeding one night, one of the turtles decided to make a meal of his tank mate. Half a foot was and I was left with the task of giving antibiotic injections to a turtle. Things could have been far uglier if I hadn't noticed the water in the tank changing color (red). Pond turtles never stood a chance.
Karen S. · 8 May 2012
Nature, red in tooth and claw and ears.
Henry J · 8 May 2012
Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael... but there's only three in the picture!
Jonathan Smith · 8 May 2012
When I first moved to Florida I purchaed one of these turtles for my daughter. She kept it in a tank next to her bed. Now 31 years later he ? is still my pet. Anyone know the life span of these turtles and how you tell male from female?
Henry J · 8 May 2012
If you see it lay eggs, it's female. A turtle that boinks another is probably male. Does that help? :)
Karen S. · 8 May 2012
Anyone know the life span of these turtles and how you tell male from female?
Tell it to go out and find a job. If it brings home a tiny paycheck it's probably a female.
Paul Burnett · 8 May 2012
Henry J said:
Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael... but there's only three in the picture!
The splash behind their floating log was number four, who had just slid into the water. I'll see if I can find the previous picture.
Henry J · 8 May 2012
Oh, then add Leonardo to that list! :)
(And maybe the log could be called "Splinter"? :) )
Henry
daoudmbo · 9 May 2012
Jonathan Smith said:
When I first moved to Florida I purchaed one of these turtles for my daughter. She kept it in a tank next to her bed. Now 31 years later he ? is still my pet. Anyone know the life span of these turtles and how you tell male from female?
I have 2 red-eared sliders, going on about 23 years now. They live forever, will probably outlive me. Turtles don't age much.
Dragoness · 15 May 2012
Hello!
I noticed these are 3 males. The differences between the sexes are the females are always larger, they have much shorter front nails and their tails are far shorter & less robust. The males' front nails are very long, they look "Freddy Kruger" like in fact, and they have a longer & more robust tail.
I have had my female RES & really enjoy learning from her. I love this pic, TQ.
mjcross42 · 31 May 2012
At first glance they look so much like Eastern Painted turtles. They behave the same way, with the sunbathing and nimbly slipping off the log when they see you getting too close.
14 Comments
eric · 7 May 2012
Are they, um, necking?
Henry J · 7 May 2012
So it IS turtles all the way down!?!
(Yes, somebody had to say that!)
Paul Burnett · 7 May 2012
https://me.yahoo.com/a/7vOcEB0MlpZ6j2PE6yrejK3DA62rIew_3iSifTiQk7Gs..jL#5ae9c · 7 May 2012
Those turtle are vicious little bastards. They really are. I remember having a couple as a kid, little small round things. Cute enough when small, then they grow. Friend of mine has (by rescue) 7 of them. I had the misfortune of "baby sitting" while he and his wife went for swim with whale sharks. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/whale-shark/
After feeding one night, one of the turtles decided to make a meal of his tank mate. Half a foot was and I was left with the task of giving antibiotic injections to a turtle. Things could have been far uglier if I hadn't noticed the water in the tank changing color (red). Pond turtles never stood a chance.
Karen S. · 8 May 2012
Nature, red in tooth and claw and ears.
Henry J · 8 May 2012
Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael... but there's only three in the picture!
Jonathan Smith · 8 May 2012
When I first moved to Florida I purchaed one of these turtles for my daughter. She kept it in a tank next to her bed. Now 31 years later he ? is still my pet. Anyone know the life span of these turtles and how you tell male from female?
Henry J · 8 May 2012
If you see it lay eggs, it's female. A turtle that boinks another is probably male.
Does that help? :)
Karen S. · 8 May 2012
Paul Burnett · 8 May 2012
Henry J · 8 May 2012
Oh, then add Leonardo to that list! :)
(And maybe the log could be called "Splinter"? :) )
Henry
daoudmbo · 9 May 2012
Dragoness · 15 May 2012
Hello!
I noticed these are 3 males. The differences between the sexes are the females are always larger, they have much shorter front nails and their tails are far shorter & less robust. The males' front nails are very long, they look "Freddy Kruger" like in fact, and they have a longer & more robust tail.
I have had my female RES & really enjoy learning from her.
I love this pic, TQ.
mjcross42 · 31 May 2012
At first glance they look so much like Eastern Painted turtles. They behave the same way, with the sunbathing and nimbly slipping off the log when they see you getting too close.