comes very unlikely that inbreeding will occur. This adaptation also gives the females an interesting advantage. It allows them to control the flow of male vs. female addition to the population. They have the ability to choose nesting sights based on probable outcome of the clutch.One of the most interesting aspects about Painted turtles is their ability to survive the winter months frozen. The hatchlings emerge from their shells in September or October. However they do not immediately leave the nest. They will remain in the nest during winter and emerge in the spring. Inside the nest the air is insulated and so is a bit warmer, usually about eighteen to twenty eight degrees F. This is still well below the freezing temperature of turtle blood, about thirty one degrees (Storey, 1992). In an experiment, hatchlings temperature was slowly reduced. When the body temperature of the hatchlings hit 26.5 they literally froze. "When hatchling turtles freeze, ice first forms on the outer skin. Over the next several hours ice grows inward toward the body core, gradually cutting off blood circulation to the periphery, until only the central heart-brain corridor is serviced. Ultimately, even this circulation is lost, and eventually there is no muscle movement, no breathing, heartbeat, or blood flow, and only minimal brain activity. Soon after the animals thaw however the vitals resume one after another" (Storey, 1992).This is an amazing phenomenon that is observed in no higher form of life than the Painted turtle. They are able to do this for two reasons. First special de icing proteins are made in the liver. Also the level of glucose goes up within the cells. The higher level of glucose lowers the freezing point of the liquid inside the cell so it does not freeze (Science News, 1987). In fact only about fifty two percent of the hatchlings body water freezes (Storey, 1992). This amazing adaptation allows the painted turtle to live in colder ...
