Given their somehwat relaxed nature and relatively slow reaction time, turtles are one of the easier reptile species to observe.  The shell affords the turtle luxury and is vital to their survival.  Coyotes have been known to dig at a box turtle's shell for half an hour, only to give up with the turtle none worse for the wear.   Prince William Forest Park is fortunate enough to have a healthy population of turtles.  Here are some of the turtles you might come across during a walk in the park.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Hoffman

Midland painted turtle

Painted Turtles
Pond turtles can be frequently seen at the park’s lakes, basking in the sunshine on either a log or floating at the water’s surface. Usually these will be painted turtles but some other species may be present as well.