New World Pond Turtles: Emydidae

Many people have seen these turtles, because most of the animals in this family like to sunbathe, or "bask." Turtles that live in the water typically climb up onto a rock or log sticking up above the water's surface and soak in the sunshine. Often, many turtles will climb onto the same rock or log and may stack up on one another. Turtles that live on land simply find a sunny spot and bask there. Many of these turtles are active all year, but those that live in temperate climates sink underwater and bury themselves in the muddy bottom or bury themselves in shallow holes or under piles of leaves to wait out the winter. Some that live in areas with long, dry spells also become inactive until the rains come again.

During breeding season, usually in the spring, the males try to attract the females by bobbing their heads or waving their front claws in front of a female's face. After mating, the female finds a dry spot onshore, sometimes up to 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) away from the water, and digs a hole. She lays as few as one egg and as many as two dozen eggs in the hole and then covers them up. Afterward, she provides no care for the eggs or the young. As with most turtles, the temperature of the nest controls whether the egg becomes a male or a female turtle. Warm nest temperatures produce females, and cool temperatures produce males. The eggs hatch in about two to three months.