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Project Noah Nature School
Apalone ferox
I saw 3 or 4 of these youngsters basking on the lily pads. They each were on a pad with some damage to the rim, presumably because they couldn't easily climb onto one that was not damaged
In a pond and sunbathing on Santa Cruz Water Lilies (Victoria cruziana) at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. See the spotting of the lilies here: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/536...
Congratulations Machi, your basking turtle came first in our 2017 Best Wildlife photo competition, Reptiles category:
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Thanks Sergio, Brian, Felix, Christine and James! Glad you all appreciate them so much. And James: was it difficult to care for? Why did it need rescuing?
We rescued one called it Wesley, let it go after about a year. Great series
Well done, Machi. Congratulations on your SOTD. Turtles seem to have a knack of making people smile :)
Thanks Daniele! They made me happy to watch :) They were clearly enjoying their own private lily pads
Congratulations Machi, this lovely series with a happy and whimsical feel is our Spotting of the Day!
"Basking on a large water lily with its neck stretched out, this juvenile Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) is our Spotting of the Day! The largest softshell turtle in North America, this species has a long neck and an elongated head. It is mostly aquatic, only leaving water to bask or to lay eggs.
Find out more about this softshell tortoise here: https://buff.ly/2z4z0Z2 "
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From the references I have seen, the young ones have more visible markings on the face and neck like these. They are neat turtles!
Spotted on Sep 3, 2017
Submitted on Dec 11, 2017
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