AUSTIN, Texas — Did you know the Forty Acres has its own turtle pond? Furthermore, do you know what happens to its residents during freezing temperatures?

The University was kind enough to provide an explanation.

According to them, the pond’s size and structure works in favor of the turtles. While layers of ice will sometimes freeze at the top of the pond, the pond’s depth, surface area and pumping system keep it from freezing solid.

“The turtles are fine — these cold temperatures are within the normal range of extremes we deal with here in Texas,” said Travis LaDuc, who oversees the collections for herpetology in the College of Natural Sciences. “Some turtles can remain under water for several days, as long as the water remains cold enough to keep their metabolism low.”

Turtles’ body temperatures drop in the cold, triggering a slowed-down metabolism, LaDuc said.

The slower metabolism helps the turtles survive with less oxygen through winter’s duration.

Originally a research facility for the school’s bio department, about 100 turtles live there. The majority of the turtles are red-eared sliders, but several Common Snapping Turtle, Texas River Cooter, Texas Map Turtle, Common Musk Turtle and Spiny Softshell Turtle friends live there too.

“I don’t know the coldest temperatures that they can endure, but as long as the water isn’t frozen solid, I think they would probably survive for several days at the bottom the ponds,” LaDuc assures.