Welcome to Fast Facts with Reasons for Hope! I’m Carl Kerby.
Today, it’s time to take a closer look at the amazing adaptions of the allusive snapping turtle…
Like all reptiles, this cold-blooded creature relies on the environment around it to raise or lower its body temperature. So, how does it survive a harsh winter in Iowa? It goes to the one place the temperature is more stable without having to dig – the water. Here, it can hibernate for up to 100 days! It does this by using stored energy and gaining oxygen from the pond water in a surprising way.
When you see a snapping turtle sun bathing in the spring, it’s actually warming up its body temperature and restarting its metabolism Now, that design was no accident!
Check back with us next time to find out how a snapping turtle breathes – the answer will surprise you! Until then, stay bold!
Karl Kerby is the founder of Reasons for Hope and co-creator of the DeBunked apologetic video series. His radio feature, Fast Facts, is heard weekly on VCY America, Saturdays at 9:25 AM Central.
