The Grifovy turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) lives in freshwater reservoirs of North America. In the wild nature of its population meet in southeast states of the USA: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
Habitat and way of life
The Grifovy turtle lives in the large rivers of the basin of the Gulf of Mexico. Such as Mississippi and Missouri. And also in their inflows, the related lakes, swamps and canals. Adult turtles prefer deep places. Cubs can live in small reservoirs.
Grifovy turtles spend the most part of time in water. Far only females during nesting come out of the water. Turtles can be under water 40-50 minutes, without emerging on a surface behind air.
Grifovy turtles are carnivorous. The basis of their diet is formed by fish, mollusks and other turtles. They eat also frogs, snakes, snails, worms, Crustacea, insects and water plants. Can have a dinner with rodents of the average size: nutrias, squirrels, muskrats and others. These turtles and drop do not disdain. Play an important role in ecosystems of freshwater reservoirs. Carry out a mission of cleaners, "hospital attendants of the rivers and lakes". Turtles, most often, hunt at night. However can do it and in the afternoon. However, in very original way. The turtle lies at the bottom, opens a mouth and moves with the language similar to a worm. The tempted victim herself swims away it in a mouth.
Interesting facts
The Latin name of a grifovy turtle - Macrochelys temminckii. It is called so in honor of the Dutch aristocrat and the zoologist Coenraad Jacob Temminck, the initiator of the basis and the first director of Natural History Museum in Leiden. Macrochelys temminckii — the largest of freshwater turtles. Adult turtles weigh from 68 to 80 kilograms. Length of their armor is from 40.4 to 80.8 centimeters. Males are usually larger than females. Separate copies reach the much bigger sizes. According to unchecked data, in 1937 in Kansas the grifovy turtle weighing 183 kilograms (403 pounds) was caught. It is authentically known, Shedd in Chicago lived in an aquarium 16-year giant weighing 113 kg (249 pounds). In 1999, within the selection program he was given to an aquarium in Tennessee where soon died. Still the giant weighing 107 kg (236 pounds) contained in the Brukfildsky zoo in the suburb of Chicago. Life expectancy of grifovy turtles is definitely not known. It is considered, they can live up to 200 years. The figure from 80 to 120 years is represented to more probable. They usually live in bondage from 20 to 70 years.