Let us meet a big turtle. Let us find out how it lives. It is the largest freshwater turtle in North America.

Where does it live? This turtle lives in freshwater. It lives in the southern United States. It spends most of its time in the water.

Look at its shell. What do you see? The shell has spikes.

Here is a name for this turtle. People call it the "dinosaur of the turtle world."

Now look at its head. It is a very big head. It has strong jaws too.

Now look at its tongue. What does it look like? Part of it looks like a worm.

Now let us see its food. What does it eat? This turtle eats mostly fish.

Look at its back. What is on it? Algae often grows there. This helps hide the turtle.

Let us find out when it is busy. This turtle is most active at night.

Last, look at a female turtle. What does she do? She digs a nest in the sand.

Words to know

• freshwater: not salty water
• jaws: mouth bones
• algae: tiny water plants
• nest: egg home