North Pond, in Lincoln Park, is simply the pond just north of the Lincoln Park Zoo. In addition to the newly replanted, stored edges of the pond are the residents inside the pond waters. Copyright 2025 Pamela BreitbergThe prairie native plants keep wildlife fairly safe from humans. Here Canadian Geese and Red Earred Slider Turtles live together peacefully here. Young turtles were enjoying the waters of North Pond as they practice swimming skills. Copyright 2025 Pamela BreitbergLogs are natural sunning platforms for the Turtles. Reptiles, like the Turtles are cold blooded so they need the warmth of sunlight to keep their bodies warm And yes, similar but different to bears, they hibernate in the marshy areas of the Pond during the winter months. They only semi-hibernate so merely slow down their metabolism to require little food.
Years ago, I had two Red Earred Sliders in a 50 gallon “pond” in my science lab classroom. Instinct is a powerful being. At first I worried when they ate little during winter months. They were healthy. They had been donated to me by a fellow science teacher and by a family who no longer could care for them. And my conscious had me “free” them to this pond when I retired. My surprise when they literally bolted into the pond water; never stopped to say “bye”. A turtle’s life can be 50 years; so I’m hoping they have had a grand retirement in North Pond.
