A few kinds of turtles, including green turtles and tortoises, feed almost entirely on plants. Certain freshwater species, such as map turtles and soft-shelled turtles, eat chiefly animals. Turtles, like other cold-blooded animals, cannot remain active in cold weather. Species that live in regions with harsh winters must hibernate. Most freshwater turtles hibernate by burrowing into the warm, muddy bottom of a pond, stream, or other body of water.
Land turtles bury themselves in soil or under rotting vegetation.
Some species of turtles survive hot, dry periods by going into a state of limited activity called estivation. Estivation somewhat resembles hibernation. Mud and musk turtles make up a family of 22 fresh-water species. They live in the Western Hemisphere, particularly in Central America. Mud and musk turtles of the United States include the common mud turtle, common musk turtle, razor-backed musk turtle, and yellow mud turtle.