Turtles
Definition of turtle
1: an animal which lives in or near water and has a thick shell covering its body into which it can move its head and legs for protection
Details
There are two kinds of turtles in British Columbia, Canada: the Western Painted Turtle, and the Red-Eared Slider. The painted turtle has yellow stripes on its head, and red marks on its belly. The slider is native to South America and has been released into the wild by pet-owners. It can be distinguished from the painted turtle by red marks behind its eyes.
“Painted Turtles prefer the margins and shallows of lakes, ponds, ditches and sluggish streams with muddy bottoms and lots of aquatic plants. These areas provide important habitat for feeding, basking, shelter from predators, and hibernation. Painted Turtles also require nearby upland nesting areas (within 150 metres) that are usually south-facing, with no vegetation and dry, light soil free of roots and large stones.”
Both kinds of turtles eat small frogs, snails, insects, tadpoles, algae, and a variety of plants. Turtles are eaten by crows, mink, river otters, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, fish, snakes, and wading birds.
Province of British Columbia: Turtles
Ministry of Environment: Okanagan Region: Painted Turtle
Photos for Study
Exploration
Meet at a nature park.
Discuss turtles and review photos.
Make a food chain or web for turtles.
Explore the nature park.
Spend some time drawing and/or taking photos.
Keep a tally of observed turtles.
Meet and discuss observations.
Finish meeting.
