Animals

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Beach Bum

Karl was your typical beach bum. Laying out all day at the edge of the water, soaking up the rays. The extended legs, neck, and tail is to maximize the skin surface that absorbs the warmth and healthy UV rays. Basking dries them out, regulates their temperature, and converts UV to vitamin D. It also will shrivel up and kill any leaches they may have picked up. Of course Karl didn't know any of this, he was just feeling lazy today.
Male Pallid Spiny Softshell (Apalone spinifera ssp. pallida)

white rock lake dallas texas aquatic water turtle turtle reptile softshell turtle softshell Apalone spinifera ssp. pallida Pallid Spiny Softshell male turtle male pallida spiny softshell male softshell male spiny softshell concrete concrete slant by the lower spillway steps below me mature male basking sunbathing close up