On Sunday I posted photos of turtles posing on an Alligator ramp and logs to sun themselves out of the water. Yesterday in the same spot an Alligator was using a turtle as a head rest and more turtles were clambering to join the group.
Further along in a different pond a similar activity was taking place with a much larger Alligator, only this time the turtles were on top.
Do they have no suspicion that they might be lunch?
We returned by this spot about an hour and a half later to find the Alligator had changed position but at least one free-loader was still in place.
The nature guide at Magnolia Garden identifies these turtles as Yellow-bellied Sliders.
Click on photo for larger view.
What an amazing sight! I wonder if this is usual behaviour? Excellent photographs.
Thanks, Belinda. We do see them lined up on the Alligator platforms side-by-side but this is the first time I’ve seen them stack up like this. I don’t know how often the Alligators eat and maybe the turtles are just willing to take a chance.
Reblogged this on TPJphoto.net and commented:
From our sister site. I thought this image was so special it should be on this web site also.