Best Look Magazine

Timeless Sentinels of Emiquon: Painted & Softshell Turtles Basking on sun-warmed logs in the wetlands of Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, a quiet congregation of painted turtles and a solitary softshell turtle share space with a lone Great Egret—each species a thread in the rich ecological tapestry of central Illinois. Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta), with their vivid red and yellow markings, are among the most resilient reptiles in North America. Some individuals live up to 40 years, with rare cases reaching 50+. Their longevity is matched by their ecological importance: they help regulate aquatic vegetation, recycle nutrients, and serve as prey for raccoons, herons, and larger fish. These semi-aquatic reptiles brumate through harsh winters, surviving months underwater with astonishing metabolic suppression. Softshell turtles (likely Apalone spinifera in this region) are more elusive. Their leathery shells and snorkel-like snouts make them agile hunters of insects, crustaceans,...