1973: Tortoise in the NJPB

[Pan]

 

[joc]

Hi Pan , Pretty sure that's a red-belly turtle . Thanks for sharing .
Joe

 

[manumuskin]

I second Joc's opinion.

 

[Pan]

Photo came out a little darker and harder to see on here than on the original. He's tucked up in his shell. Are they still around?

 

[manumuskin]

yes they are still around.they are fairly common in fresh water bogs and ponds.

 

[Pan]

yes they are still around.they are fairly common in fresh water bogs and ponds.

They're doing better than the Arizona (where I now live) desert tortoise. I used to see them back in the 70's and 80's but never any more. They are now considered a threatened species. I used to see a lot more wildlife when I went hiking in the desert back then than I do now - gila monsters, tarantulas, snakes...but contrary to popular belief the biggest scariest rattlers I've seen were not in Arizona but in New York State, and NJ had plenty too...though one did bite me in California near Death Valley.

 

[bobpbx]

...though one did bite me in California near Death Valley.

Pray tell, how did that happen?