Basking Behavior of the Turtle Pseudemys scripta: Effects of Digestive State, Acclimation Temperature, Sex, and Season

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Abstract
We measured basking duration of fed and nonfed yellow slider turtles (Pseudemys scripta) in a constant-temperature environmental chamber. We acclimated and tested turtles at four temperatures (10, 20, 30, and 35 C), once in spring/summer and once in fall/winter. In the spring/summer there was a statistically significant difference (P < .01) between basking durations of fed and nonfed turtles and between basking times of males and females at all acclimation temperatures except 35 C, when basking time was minimal for both fed and nonfed animals. Fed females basked much longer than fed males (P < .05), and both groups of fed turtles basked much longer than nonfed animals. These differences were greatest at 10 and 20 C but were also apparent at 30 C. In the fall/winter there were no statistically significant differences between the basking times of fed and nonfed turtles or between the basking times of males or females. There were, however, statistically significant differences (P < .01) between basking times at all four acclimation temperatures. We suggest that basking in turtles is a complex behavior that is affected by the nutritional status, acclimation, season, and sex of the individual.