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Post by Sam on Nov 2, 2016 6:13:06 GMT -5
The old partially submerged log I've watched for several years now has survived yet another year of flooding. This log is a favorite 'warming' spot for the River Cooters in this stretch of New River. I haven't seen the big ones yet this year but I'm still hoping to. The largest on in this photo I estimate at about 10 pounds. Cooters are a cold blooded amphibian. As such they like the sun's warmth as the water temps in the river begin to cool. Please note the large feet of these Cooters, especially the hind feet. They use them as 'solar collectors' to gather more warmth for their blood supply. The feet are stretched out and turned toward the sun just as today's mechanized solar panels. Blood in the Cooter's veins and arteries is warmed significantly this way.
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Post by froglady on Nov 2, 2016 11:49:46 GMT -5
What an amazing lesson. And the photo is so clear. Where do the cooters go when it freezes?
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Post by magix on Nov 2, 2016 12:02:42 GMT -5
Good clear shot & info Sam
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Post by les on Nov 3, 2016 0:36:45 GMT -5
Good shot Sam
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Post by Sam on Nov 3, 2016 5:59:17 GMT -5
What an amazing lesson. And the photo is so clear. Where do the cooters go when it freezes? Thank you Like most amphibious turtles and frogs, they bury into the silt/sediment of the river bed. They are able to slow their metabolism dramatically. They will still, sometimes, come out and a particularly warm sunny day if conditions are just right. In winter there is a thermal 'inversion' of the water temps. The warmest water will be at the bottom of lakes and rivers, so they go there.
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Post by Sam on Nov 3, 2016 6:00:04 GMT -5
Thank you magix and les.
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Post by froglady on Nov 3, 2016 9:11:22 GMT -5
Thanks Sam. Kinda what I thought..
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