Photo: The Incredible Bitter Lake Flying Turtle

The Incredible Bitter Lake Flying Turtle!

Photo and text by Bruce Hill

These amazing turtles live about 9 months of the year buried in the mud at the bottom of Bitter Lake - then, when the sun comes out and the air temperature rises, they crawl out of the mud, and can occasionally be seen (sometimes four generations at a time) basking on logs.

These are amazing creatures! Their heartbeat slows to one beat in 10 minutes while buried in the mud while they breathe through their skin.

This particular rascal seemed to be having a really good time - so don't tell him he probably won't get very far off the ground.