Biology
Thermal Ecology and Basking Behavior in Painted Turtles
Quick fact
Painted turtles can raise their body temperature by up to 10°C just by basking, and they bask for hours each day not just for warmth, but to speed up digestion, kill skin parasites, and even boost their immune system.
Why this is interesting
You've probably seen a turtle sunning itself on a log, but have you ever wondered why it sits so still and why it chooses that exact spot?