BASKING SITES

BASKING SITES ARE ESSENTIAL FOR TURTLES

A favorite sight during turtle season is catching a glimpse of turtles, most often painted turtles, basking on a log or a piece of driftwood in a lake. Although they are not there to entertain us, we can't help but appreciate the peace of mind that comes with seeing them on a log in the water rather than on or near a road. When there is a group of turtles, known as a bale, basking on a log, one can't help but smile.

TEMPERATURE REGULATION 

Basking logs and comparable basking sites are essential parts of aquatic habitats. Turtles, amphibians, birds, and many other animals use them to rest and/or regulate temperature. Basking sites are significant for turtles, which are "ectothermic," meaning they cannot maintain a constant body temperature and rely on outside sources to regulate it. Their body temperature changes with the environment around them. If the climate is cold, the turtle must move to a warmer place. 

To aid in regulating their body temperature, turtles bask on logs in the sun and, unfortunately, sometimes on the warm pavement/asphalt of the roads. 

As a point of interest, birds, mammals, and some fish (e.g., tuna, billfish, swordfish, and some shark species) are "endothermic," meaning they maintain a constant body temperature independent of their environment, as do humans. You may be more familiar with the terms cold-blooded (ecothermic) and warm-blooded (endothermic). Still, the scientific community has moved away from this terminology as it suggests there are only two categories of body temperature, which is not the case as animal temperature varies by species and even within species. 

WHERE TURTLES BASK 

Turtles source out locations for basking that often consist of fallen trees, driftwood or exposed rocks, logs, dead heads, emergent vegetation, etc. A site chosen for basking would be selected because it is ideally positioned in the water to optimize sunlight exposure and is not too far from the shoreline; open water will make turtles feel vulnerable. Turtles occasionally bask on a shoreline or sand, but this would be in chosen circumstances when they do not feel vulnerable to predators. Sometimes, turtles get creative and bask on docks, rafts, exposed culverts, discarded items floating in the water, etc. 

Unfortunately, the roads hold heat and are viewed by snapping turtles as an ideal location on land for gaining heat from the substrate they are in contact with through a process known as "conduction." As a turtle species that is not exceptionally comfortable on land and spends most of their time in the water, the snapping turtle is more inclined to venture out of the water only in times of absolute necessity, such as nesting or mating season; there is a habitat disturbance or to travel to a different seasonal habitat and on occasion basking. 

The sun's rays can reach a turtle underwater, and solar absorption occurs at shallow depths. Some turtle species may even engage in surface basking, floating for more direct sun exposure. Absorption is more difficult in water, a compound that, instead of sharing heat, likes to keep it for itself. Most turtle species rely more on basking on a log or other such site. 

Yes, turtles like natural elements for basking, but they are known to bask on basking sites that property owners have constructed and invitingly provided. As an example of how turtles seek out locations to bask, even those that are not naturally sourced, a photo was recently posted of a painted turtle basking on a recliner someone irresponsibly disposed of in a lake. It appears funny, but it illustrates how a turtle will adapt and use items available to bask on. Last we heard, the recliner was removed. There is no guarantee turtles will use a newly introduced basking site, but given time they may take a keen interest.

WHY TURTLES BASK

Turtles engage in water and land basking, which enables them to absorb heat from the sun through their bodies. Turtles rely on the sun's rays to help raise their body temperature, get their metabolism moving, and produce vitamin D, an essential nutrient for healthy living and keeping their shells healthy.

Basking in the sun allows turtles to dry out their shell, which helps prevent parasites from attaching for some time. This can also help relieve them of "Ectoparasites," the scientific term for harmful organisms on the outside of an animal, such as leeches. Leeches are a blood-sucking ectoparasite that can cause anemia in turtles if they parasitize for an extended period. Drying out in the sun and the direct sunlight is not a hospitable environment for leeches, adios leeches!

Further to this, the sun can effect on the algae that has grown on their shell by causing algae to dry out and fall off, allowing the turtle shell some relief from any parasites that may have been present if the algae growth was abundant. On the plus side, algae growth on a turtle shell has benefits and plays a role in providing turtles with protection by way of camouflage. Algae growth has also been described as a garden providing food and protection for small fish and other aquatic organisms, thus contributing to maintaining the algae and parasite load present. As always, the interrelations of an ecosystem unquestionably have it all worked out.

It is believed that turtles will bask together to pool body heat and pile on top of one another in an attempt to change angles, maximize exposure, and/or get closer to the heat source. Turtles can be seen with their legs stretched out for optimal heat absorption. 

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP

Researchers have identified that painted turtles and napping turtles appear to be the only reptile pairings with symbiotic relationships. This is a special type of interaction between species, sometimes beneficial to one and harmful to the other or, in this case, beneficial to both. The painted turtles are known to eat the leeches that have attached themselves to snapping turtles, and the snapping turtles benefit from this. All of this balances out in the end, making for a harmonious relationship. 

NO TURTLES BASKING

From time to time, people tell us that they have noticed that the turtles that once basked in a particular area have disappeared. Through the years, many lakes have become entirely devoid of basking logs, often due to shoreline development or, in some cases, natural elements such as flooding or storms dislodging otherwise perfect natural basking sites such as logs, etc.

If you have ever wondered why turtles at one time regularly basked at a particular site and then seemed to disappear, this could alternatively be to do with a disturbance in the area, such as land development, or to do with animals that are possible predators moving into the area, or it could be the result of increased human activity, e.g., recreational activities, construction or shoreline development. Sadly, in some incidences, this could also be attributed to a gradual population decline in the localized area, which is situated near a high-risk road mortality location that turtles would access during their seasonal activities. 

NEW BASKING SITES

So, all in all, a little sunshine goes a long way for turtles! Property owners can help turtles by introducing basking sites into lakes or bodies of water that are known to have turtle activity and few, if any, sites for basking. Sometimes, what may be viewed as a decline in turtle population in a specific area may, in fact, be down to the absence of natural basking sites. Perhaps a perfectly positioned log or piece of driftwood was manually removed or drifted away.

If considering constructing a basking platform to enrich turtle habitat, it is vital to consider the materials used. These considerations must consider the effect the materials could have on the turtles coming in contact with them. For example, treated wood should not be used, straw/hay should not be treated with pesticides, etc. Also, one must think about the effect the materials used will have on the body of water the basking site is introduced into, as well as the aquatic ecosystem it supports.

Ideally, natural and untreated materials, such as a log, a fallen tree, or driftwood found near the basking site location, are best. Well-thought-out platforms and other basking installations can also be constructed and be just as effective and appreciated by the turtles.

It will be necessary to address flotation and anchor the basking installation in some way so it does not sink or float away. Again, you should consider the materials used. Options may include natural jute rope vs. synthetic rope, cinder block, concrete anchor/plug, or duckbill anchor if you can afford plastic 4-liter jugs with sand, use products that are eco-friendly and responsibly sourced. Researching anchoring materials and procedures for docking systems online may provide additional ideas that would be helpful in such an undertaking.  

Remember, this is a 'Do It Yourself' type project; we are supplying general information that may be helpful. Whether using purchased, re-purposed, or naturally sourced materials do your homework to minimize the impact to the environment. You can find some ideas online, improvising and getting creative to help the turtles on this one. During your travels, take note of the types of aquatic areas, distance from the shore, etc., and the turtles you observe basking seem comfortable with. We read about a gentleman who built a basking raft and lined the entire underside with cut-up pool noodle pieces that he secured with nailing strips, which also gave him a place to tie an anchor rope. 

Note: Please make sure a basking site introduced into a lake, for example, is within an area you are allowed access to. If not, seek the necessary permission, especially if shared access. Always consider safety as well. A basking site near a boat launch, in some circumstances, may not be practical for several reasons and could be a safety concern for boats.

TURTLES DO WHAT TURTLES DO

Please note that no matter how thoughtfully constructed or inviting your basking site may appear, turtles may not use it immediately, it may take time. Hopefully, that is the case. Turtles are weary and something new introduced into their environment may be steered clear of until it has been sized up and transitioned from something new to part of the local aquatic landscape.

Adopting a modified "Field of Dreams" outlook, "If you build it, THEY will come." Anyway, our brand of optimism. In the end, it is the turtles who will make the decision. 

If anyone has photos of basking sites they have successfully introduced into turtle habitat, please share them. It's always great to see the ideas people have come up with. 

Should you have any questions regarding this subject or other turtle-related matters, please do not hesitate to contact Think Turtle Conservation Initiative at 647-606-9537 (phone/text) or e-mail thinkturtle@yahoo.com. Thank you for looking out for species at risk.