Posted by nathana on April 25, 2003 at 11:00:27:
In Reply to: Glow in the dark? posted by eublepharis on April 24, 2003 at 22:58:21:
There are no species known to phosphoress on their own in the turtle/tortoise world. That is not to say, though, that there are not forms of algae and molds that don't. I know from experience that some kinds of fungus/molds and algaes do. Perhaps these turtles are hosts to this growing on them. Pond turtles (aquatic species) almost always have some kind of algae and often fungi growing on them.
So, perhaps it is a hoax, perhaps it is a trick of the light at a certain time of the day, or perhaps this is an alternative explanation.
btw, box turtles are not aquatic. They are almost always found near water (most of the north american species), but they do not swim well, rather when they choose to cross deep water they bob like corks and doggie paddle their way across.
