Zoolung Animals

Yeongdeungpo

Aquatic turtle

Its name comes from the word “kuta,” which means “turtle” in the African Bambara language. As a semi-aquatic turtle, it spends most of its time in the water and always eats its meals underwater. This is because it has difficulty swallowing its food without water. However, it also really enjoys coming ashore to bask in the sun.

Category

Turtle Neck Swamp Turtle Family
Habitat

coastal areas
Diet

Omnivorous, eating vegetables, insects, and more

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Yeongdeungpo

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Species

Freshwater turtle

A relatively large freshwater turtle belonging to the family Emydidae, it inhabits the southeastern United States.

Place of discovery

North America (Southeastern United States)

It is found primarily in the southeastern United States, mainly in the states of South Carolina and Georgia.

Habitat

Slow-moving, large rivers, lakes, and ponds

They prefer a variety of freshwater habitats, such as large rivers, lakes, ponds, and swamps where the water flows slowly or stands still.

Diet

Omnivorous (primarily herbivorous)

They are primarily herbivorous, feeding mainly on aquatic plants and aquatic vegetation, but juveniles are omnivorous and also consume insects and small invertebrates.

Action

Preference for sunbathing

They love to bask in the sun on logs or rocks floating in the water, which is essential for regulating their body temperature.

Average size

Males: 30 cm, females: 40 cm or more

Males grow to a maximum of 30 cm, while females can exceed 40 cm, meaning females grow significantly larger than males.

Features

The pattern on the shell

Its shell is dome-shaped, olive or brown in color, and features distinctive yellow or orange patterns.

Lifespan

20 to 40 years

Although it varies depending on the environment and living conditions, they generally live between 20 and as long as 40 years.