Yellow-bellied slider: No pedicure required at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Published 1:06 pm Monday, March 20, 2023

If you’re a turtle, what can you do with a long set of claws? Digging, defending, mating, eating and sheltering.

If you’ve never before noticed the length of some turtles’ claws, look at these! This yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta) on Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge uses its claws for all the previously mentioned purposes and more, according to USFWS.

“Some turtle species have a ritual mating ‘dance’ in the water that involves the male stroking the female’s face with his claws and then vibrating the long claws. I guess you’d have to be a turtle to understand why that would be attractive,” notes USFWS.

Get the latest headlines sent to you

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COASTLAND TIMES TODAY!