TODAY.AZ / Weird / Interesting

Have you ever seen dancing turtles ? - PHOTOS

08 May 2012 [10:45] - TODAY.AZ
This is the carnival-like moment SEVEN turtles all looked like they had decided to copy a famous party dance.

In a line and clinging to each others shells with their front claws these turtles wouldn't be out of place at a Bank Holiday BBQ party.

But in fact the reptiles - known as Northern Map Turtles - are actually in the bizarre formation to warm their blood from the heat of the sun and absorb vitamin D from the rays - vital for their shell and bones.

And with only a small log to perch on in the middle of a lake, the turtles have clambered on each other in order to catch as many rays as possible.

Photographer Tony Beck snapped this shot of the turtles all gathered on a sun-catching log in Lake Opinicon, Ontario, Canada.

Naturalist Tony, 56, said: 'I regularly see turtles of various species, throughout the world, sunning themselves during mid-day, especially when it's hot and sunny.' 'They typically perch in the open in a more random manner. However, when perching space is limited, and it gets crowded.

'It's rare to see so many of these turtles all at once as they are usually shy and reclusive, however if they're cornered or tormented they could potentially give you a nasty bite.'
Male northern map turtles can grow up to six inches in length and weigh about 400g, females are bigger and can grow up to 27cm and weigh 2.5kg.








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