BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR TURTLES THIS MONTH!

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BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR TURTLES THIS MONTH!

Turtle Month in Ocean County New Jersey

It's Turtle Time In Ocean County

Watch for Eastern Painted Turtles and Northern Red-Bellied Turtles

Common sights in the spring are Eastern Painted Turtles and Northern Red-Bellied Turtles sunning themselves on logs in their freshwater habitats. Red-Bellied Turtles (10-13 inches) are one of the largest basking turtles in New Jersey. Their carapace (top part of shell) is a dark mahogany-black color with some red along the plastron (bottom part of shell).

Females have a brighter red plastron with a gray border while the smaller sized males are often described as having a light pink plastron. Both sexes have yellow lines that come down from behind their eye and down their necks.

A key distinguishing difference between the Red-Bellied and the Eastern Painted Turtles is the Painted Turtle’s smaller size (4-9 inches) and yellow spot behind their eyes.

Juvenile Red-Bellied turtles, as shown in the picture, have whitish-yellow lines along their necks and a more ornate, lighter green patterned shell. Interestingly, young Red-Bellied Turtles are herbivores that dine on aquatic vegetation and algae.

Adults are omnivores, eating a more diverse diet that consists of plant matter, crayfish, snails, fish, and tadpoles. They sexually mature around 5-9 years old and can live up to 40-55 years!

Eastern painted turtles are some of the best pet turtles in the world! In this video I’ll show you my painted turtles and tell you what makes these little jewels such amazing pets.


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