Pond climate is important to turtles because their body temperature is directly related to the temperature of their environment. Climate also influences a turtle's gender, which is dependent on the temperature of where their eggs are located. Females hatch from eggs in warmer temperatures, and males from cooler temperatures. However, climate change make it harder for nests to be exposed to different temperatures. As a result, more female turtles are hatching than males.

In order to keep their temperature between 75 and 90 degrees, turtles move around throughout the day. You may see them settled on logs or rocks to warm up from the sun or sliding into the water to cool off.