# Emydine Turtles (*emydinae*) Emydine turtles are fun, friendly creatures that love to bask in the sun. They are great swimmers and can often be seen gliding through ponds and rivers! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Emydine turtles are commonly found in freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers, as well as coastal areas. - **Also known as:** Pond Turtles, Slider Turtles, Water Turtles ![Emydine Turtles](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Emys_orbicularis.jpg&width=800) Photo: M. Kutzli The original uploader was Mkutzli at German Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emys_orbicularis.jpg) ## Appearance The Emydine Turtles have smooth, often dome-shaped or flattened shells, typically brown, green, or black, sometimes with vibrant patterns of yellow, red, or orange stripes and spots. Their limbs are usually webbed, aiding in aquatic movement, and their skin can be similarly marked with bright colors. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Clemmys ## Interesting facts - A group of turtles is sometimes called a "bale" or a "dole"! - Many Emydine turtles can eat underwater thanks to specialized throats! - Some species can survive freezing conditions by producing a natural antifreeze! - They often bask in the sun to warm up, which also helps fight off parasites! ## Special abilities - **Temperature-Controlled Nests:** Emydine Turtles can control the sex of their babies because the nest temperature during incubation determines if they'll be male or female. - **Aquatic Adaptability:** Emydine Turtles have webbed feet and streamlined shells that help them swim quickly and efficiently through freshwater environments. - **Shell Protection:** Emydine Turtles has a hard, bony shell fused to its skeleton that acts as a strong, protective shield against predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-40 cm - **Weight:** 0.2-7 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-60 years - **Speed:** 1.5 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 10 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2-25 - **Incubation:** 50-120 days - **Maximum Depth:** 10 m ## Diet & Feeding These turtles eat a mix of plants and small animals, helping keep their watery homes healthy. - **Age differences:** Younger turtles are often more carnivorous, eating more insects and worms, while adults eat more plants. - **Primary Foods:** aquatic plants, insects, snails, small fish, tadpoles, crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Alligator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Large adults sometimes prey on smaller or injured turtles. - **Eaten by:** Common Raccoon (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons are major predators of turtle eggs and hatchlings. - **Eats:** [Yellow Perch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-perch) (*Perca flavescens*) — Adult turtles may prey on small fish like juvenile perch. - **Eats:** Common Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Larvae of this midge are a common food for young turtles. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always observe turtles from a distance to avoid disturbing them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Emydine Turtles? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Emydine Turtles? 10-40 cm ### How much does Emydine Turtles weigh? 0.2-7 kg ### How long does Emydine Turtles live? 20-60 years ### How fast can Emydine Turtles move? 1.5 km/h ### What does Emydine Turtles eat? These turtles eat a mix of plants and small animals, helping keep their watery homes healthy. ### How fast can Emydine Turtles swim? 10 km/h ### Where is Emydine Turtles usually found? Emydine turtles are commonly found in freshwater lakes, ponds, and rivers, as well as coastal areas. ## Where to spot - [Colman Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colman-park) — Washington, US · Park ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Emydine Turtles: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/emydine-turtles)