These turtles do not undergo brumation in their native range of the Southern United States and Central America, truly demonstrating the adaptive plasticity present within this species. As such, they are a really interesting example of how life is adapting to conditions within the Anthropocene. According to iNaturalist observations, pond sliders ( Trachemys scripta), of which red-eared sliders are a subspecies, are the most common turtle within the city limits. This species is an interesting case since the pet trade introduced them to NYC from their native range. An individual will actually awaken if the conditions are right, and on days like this one, where the temperature reached 41 degrees, one may spot some reptiles braving the cold! During brumation, the organism’s metabolism slows, and processes like digestion come to a halt. Instead, they undergo a process called brumation! Brumation is different from hibernation in that it is unique to poikilotherms or “cold-blooded animals.” Whereas hibernation is unique to warm-blooded animals ( homeotherms) and also typically lasts longer. Reptiles do not actually hibernate according to the strict definition of hibernation. Turtles, out and about in the middle of December! This Red-eared Slider ( Trachemys scripta elegans) was found on December 9, 2022, at 2:06 pm it was one of nearly a dozen other turtles seen in Central Park that day. As this tepid winter sweeps through NYC, a few careful eyes may spot a peculiar sight lounging in the mid-afternoon sun of our urban park spaces.
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