Post by National Park Service

Day 32. They’ve accepted me as one of their own. Awkward. Like many reptiles, turtles regulate their body temperature by basking in the sun, often on rocks, logs, or other warm surfaces where they can absorb heat. This behavior not only helps them stay active and digest food efficiently but also supports their immune system. Lizards, alligators, and snakes follow a similar routine, emerging in the morning to soak up the sun’s warmth before starting their day of hunting, exploring, or lounging. Image: Three turtles and an alligator sun themselves on a log at Gulf Islands National Seashore.