Painted turtle
In Episode 1 of Big Little Journeys a newly hatched turtle must travel through a tangled forest to seek the safety of water.
Location: Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada
In Algonquin, Canada, a freshly hatched painted turtle faces mortal danger - she must cross Highway 60. If she makes it she still has a forest of giants to travel through before she reaches the safety of a lake.
Journey distance: One mile through rich deciduous woodland
Destination: Whitefish Lake
If she makes it to the safety of water she could live there for over 50 years but the odds are stacked against her as only 1% of hatchlings make it to adulthood.
Weight & Size: 5 grams and the size of a 10 pence piece
Top Speed: ¼ mile per hour on flat ground (such as when crossing a road)
Food: She survives her autumnal journey solely on the yolk that she ate when she was inside the egg. She won't eat until Spring.
Threats:
- Humans including cars and roads
- Bears and Racoons would happily snaffle her as part of their autumnal browse
- Moose could inadvertently hoover her up amongst the pond weed - she is smaller than its eye
- Snapping Turtles, 1000 times her size, are the top predators in the lake
- Her biggest enemy is time - she must succeed in her journey before the frost kills her
Superpowers:
- Determination. She is hardwired to navigate her way to water by heading towards the horizon. Unfortunately this is also what leads her straight towards the road.
