Do Not Disturb: Turtles Basking

A painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), basking in the sun.

Suitable spots for basking in the sun are essential for all turtles whose food includes a lot of plant material, such as painted turtles. Plant material is difficult to digest. To mitigate this problem, painted turtles bask in the sun after eating in order to raise their body temperatures above 20^o C, which aids digestion.

Basking sites are very scarce where the Rideau River passes through downtown Ottawa. The search for suitable spots can take the turtles far from their food source. In addition, they may bask along banks, where they are more vulnerable to capture and more frequently disturbed.

Painted turtle, Chrysemys picta.

To improve the situation, scientist Mike Rankin and a host of volunteers have created artificial basking sites in Ottawa's Brewer Park. This pilot program was a success, and there are plans to install more small raft-like platforms in spring 2002. The platforms are clearly labelled as turtle basking spots (to tell people what they are, not the turtles!). They make excellent places to look for turtles, but please don't disturb them, they may be sleeping!

	What kind of snake is this that is shedding its skin? To find out, browse the photo gallery!

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