Painted turtles By: Daniel Martens & Foster johnson

INTRO The painted turtle is one of wetland most common reptiles The painted turtle is one of wetland most common reptiles

HISTORY T Turtles have gone essentially unchanged since their early ancestors, with little to no changes in their anatomy. Two extinct turtles reached almost twenty feet and diameter and weighed about two tons. Large turtles like that do not exist anymore, they are all extinct. In more recent times, painted turtles have a very contrasting image to the large, ancient turtle. These turtles are normally only 85 mm to 130 mm. The turtles get their names by the red and yellow markings on the upper shell, which give the turtle a look as if it was painted on. These turtles have 7 main parts. The top shell, or the carapace is a growth of the bone, along with the bottom shell or plastron. The flippers are used for digging in mud, tearing food, and courtship. The scutes are the scales over the shell and are made out of the same thing as fingernails. The neck folds into an S-shape to keep itself from harm The nostrils are at the top of the head so the turtle does not have to stick his head out of the water very far to breathe. Finally, the beak is used to hold and slice it's food.

DIET Maggots, larvae, beetles, snails, fish, leeches, crayfish, tadpoles and plants Maggots, larvae, beetles, snails, fish, leeches, crayfish, tadpoles and plants

REPRODUCTION Reproduction starts when the male performs the courtship dance for the female where he chases her and vibrates his long claws for her. When she accepts, they reproduce. A few days later the eggs are laid on. Once they hatch they go of and fend for them selves Reproduction starts when the male performs the courtship dance for the female where he chases her and vibrates his long claws for her. When she accepts, they reproduce. A few days later the eggs are laid on. Once they hatch they go of and fend for them selves

HUMAN IMPACT Turtles also play a very important role to human economics. Turtles are a food source for some because they are used as meat, delicacies or soups. Long ago turtles were used as food by Native Americans, although they are not used for food as widespread today. Also, the pet industry relies on many kinds of turtles, especially the painted turtle. Turtles also play a very important role to human economics. Turtles are a food source for some because they are used as meat, delicacies or soups. Long ago turtles were used as food by Native Americans, although they are not used for food as widespread today. Also, the pet industry relies on many kinds of turtles, especially the painted turtle. This trade of baby turtles has declined because of salmonella being transmitted by turtles and increased awareness of wetlands protection by the EPA. More recently, turtles are being sterilized for further pet trade and they are being bred in captivity. This trade of baby turtles has declined because of salmonella being transmitted by turtles and increased awareness of wetlands protection by the EPA. More recently, turtles are being sterilized for further pet trade and they are being bred in captivity. It may seem frightening, but even common painted turtles could be in danger. If wetland areas continue to decrease, so will animals like the painted turtle. Some never find that wetland if motorists are not careful--many turtles are killed on roadways. Also, acid rain is not helping the turtles remain healthy. If other animals that live in the wetlands become endangered, there might be an overpopulation of algae or other aquatic plants which might force turtles to leave. In addition, other animals that the painted turtle eats may die, cutting off the food supply to the turtles. We must keep turtles in their habitat to ensure the survival of the species. It may seem frightening, but even common painted turtles could be in danger. If wetland areas continue to decrease, so will animals like the painted turtle. Some never find that wetland if motorists are not careful--many turtles are killed on roadways. Also, acid rain is not helping the turtles remain healthy. If other animals that live in the wetlands become endangered, there might be an overpopulation of algae or other aquatic plants which might force turtles to leave. In addition, other animals that the painted turtle eats may die, cutting off the food supply to the turtles. We must keep turtles in their habitat to ensure the survival of the species.

THE END