Tagged With Turtles

A painted turtle swimming in a pond and feeding on aquatic plants

From Algae to Carrion: The Many Different Diets of Wild Turtles

4 May 2024

Wild turtles eat a variety of things, such as aquatic plants, insects, and fish, and there are even more specialized diets for sea turtles like green turtles and leatherbacks.

A large, brown garden snail crawling on a mossy rock, its spiral shell prominently displayed

How Long Do Snails Live? The Science of a Slow Life Span

3 May 2024

There are a number of things that impact how long snails live, such as the type of snail, the environment, and whether or not they reproduce, and the longest living snails can live up to 20 years.

Sleek black mamba snake slithering rapidly across a sandy desert floor

How Fast Are Snakes? The Top Speeds of 10 Different Species

2 May 2024

Snakes are fast, and some, like the black mamba, can go over 12 miles per hour, but they are typically only fast for short distances.

Three turtles with different colored shells resting on a fallen log by a pond

The Rainbow of Turtles: What Do Their Colors Mean?

29 April 2024

The many different colors of turtle shells, such as green and brown, are a form of camouflage that helps them hide and avoid predators.

A small box turtle with its head and legs extended, revealing its unprotected body without the shell

What Would a Turtle Look Like Without a Shell? A Fascinating Investigation

28 April 2024

What a turtle would look like without its shell, which is actually part of the turtle's skeleton and necessary for its protection.

Copperhead snake slithering across a sun-dappled forest floor, its copper-colored scales gleaming

Do Snakes Have Cold-Blooded Physiology? The Science of Snake Thermoregulation

26 April 2024

Snakes are ectothermic, which means that they are unable to control their own body temperature and must rely on the environment to do so.

Slender ringneck snake with distinctive orange-red ring around its neck, coiled and poised to strike in a natural wooded environment

What Do Ringneck Snakes Eat? Exploring Their Dietary Needs

22 April 2024

Ringneck snakes are known to consume other snakes, lizards, frogs, salamanders, and small mammals, and they use a combination of venom and constriction to hunt and kill their prey.

A red-eared slider turtle cautiously sniffing a ripe red tomato on a bed of leafy greens

Can Turtles Have Tomatoes? A Guide to Reptile Diet Staples

22 April 2024

Turtles can safely consume tomatoes as long as they are fed in moderation, however, some parts of the tomato plant are poisonous and it's important to watch portion sizes.

A coiled ball python with a rich, dark brown color and distinctive patterns resting on a branch

Ball Python Fasting: How Long Can They Go Without Eating?

22 April 2024

While ball pythons can fast for months thanks to torpor, long fasts are not good for their health.

Close-up of a red and orange betta fish with a dramatic, fanned tail peeking out from the water's surface in a heavily planted aquarium

Why Is My Betta Fish Always at the Top of the Tank? Unveiling Aquatic Habits

20 April 2024

Betta fish might be hanging out at the surface of the water because of poor water conditions, the way the tank is set up, or their natural instincts.

Overhead view of a yellow-bellied slider turtle stretching its neck towards a heat lamp suspended above its partially submerged, well-planted aquarium habitat

Do Turtles Really Need a Heat Lamp? Lighting and Heating Needs

19 April 2024

Correct heat lamp usage is vital for turtles to be able to thermoregulate and keep their metabolisms working the way that they should.

Leopard gecko looking intently at a dish of mealworms, with a simple background

Leopard Gecko Diet: Feeding the Right Amount of Mealworms

19 April 2024

Feeding guidelines for leopard geckos, including how many mealworms to feed them, what supplements to use, and what other foods to feed them to ensure they have a well-rounded diet.