All About Turtles

Well-armored! Turtles are not in a hurry, always well-protected, and can live for up to 100 years!

All About Turtles - Photos: (TL-BR) tropicdreams/Shutterstock, Martha Marks/Shutterstock, katiekk2/stock.adobe.com, ACEgan/Shutterstock

What Are Turtles?

Turtles are reptiles with four legs and a shell that shields them from predators. They can be sea turtles, land turtles, or turtles that inhabit freshwater environments like rivers, lakes, and ponds. Many turtles can live to a great age, with some exceeding 100 years. They tend to move slowly, but they are quite resilient, allowing them to thrive in challenging habitats.

Main Characteristics of Turtles

1. Shell as Protection

Turtles possess a hard shell on their back and belly. This shell is made up of bony plates fused with the spine and ribs. On top of these bony plates is a layer of tough horn scales, which is the same material that makes up our fingernails and hair. Since these creatures cannot effectively defend themselves against attackers, they rely on their defense mechanism. Most can retract their legs and head, leaving only the shell visible! However, not all turtles have a hard protective shell. Softshell turtles and leatherback turtles have only thin bony plates covered by a leathery, flexible skin.

2. Slow Movement

Land turtles are very slow, moving at only 0.1-0.3 mph (0.2-0.5 km/h). Freshwater turtles are also quite slow, reaching speeds of 0.6-1.2 mph (1-2 km/h). Only sea turtles are faster; the leatherback turtle can swim at speeds of up to 21.7 mph (35 km/h), making it the fastest reptile in the water.

3. Long Lifespan

Turtles are well-known for their impressive longevity, especially giant tortoises. The oldest turtle in the world lived to be 256 years old, making it the oldest reptile and land animal. Typically, most turtles live for around 50-100 years.

Turtle Family Tree

Amazing Facts About Turtles

• Turtles are cold-blooded reptiles.
• The first turtles evolved over 220 million years ago.
• There are over 360 species.
• Turtles live on land or in water.
• Over 300 species inhabit lakes, rivers, and ponds. 50-60 live on land. Only seven are found in the sea.
• Sea turtles feed on seagrass, algae, jellyfish, crustaceans, sponges, clams, and snails.
• Freshwater turtles consume aquatic plants, insects, snails, worms, and tadpoles.
• Land turtles are herbivores. They eat wild herbs, leaves, grasses, and flowers.
• The turtles' closest relatives are crocodiles.
• Turtles have a shell. It can be hard or soft. It protects the animal from injuries.
• Turtles have a good sense of vision and sense of smell.
• Turtles don't have teeth.
• Turtles lay eggs.
• The largest and heaviest tortoise is the leatherback turtle. It can grow to 70-86 inches (180-220 cm) and weigh 550-1,540 pounds (250-700 kg).
• The smallest turtle is the speckled tortoise. It measures 2.7-3.5 inches (7-9 cm) and weighs 3.3-5.8 ounces (95-165 grams).
• The oldest turtle lived to be 256 years old. It is also the oldest land animal.

Species List