Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines (or Chelonii[3]) characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs and acting as a shield.[4] "Turtle" may refer to the order as a whole (American English) or to fresh-water and sea-dwelling testudines (British English).[5]
The order Testudines includes both extant (living) and extinct species. The earliest known members of this group date from 157 million years ago,[1] making turtles one of the oldest reptile groups and a more ancient group than snakes or crocodilians. Of the 327 known species alive today, some are highly endangered.[6][7]
Turtles are ectotherms—their internal temperature varies according to the ambient environment, commonly called cold-blooded. However, because of their high metabolic rate, leatherback sea turtles have a body temperature that is noticeably higher than that of the surrounding water.
Turtles are classified as amniotes, along with other reptiles, birds, and mammals. Like other amniotes, turtles breathe air and do not lay eggs underwater, although many species live in or around water.
Behaviour
Anatomy
Habitat
Communications Skills
Diet
Reproduction
Popular Cultural References
Interesting Facts
Gallery
Turtles are apart of the class called reptile (Reptilia). Reptiles can be described as cold-blooded (Ectothermic:
metabolism that is controled by the surrounding environment) animals
that have scales or scutes on their skin, lay shelled eggs, breathe air
tetrapods (having four legs or descended from four legs). Turtles and
tortoises then get grouped into Chelonians (Chelonia superorder), and again into the order Testudinidae for tortoises and Testudines for turtles.
Turtles are some of the oldest of the Chelonians (snakes, lizards,
turtles) as the first turtles are thought to be first date back 200
million years. Today, there are around 300 species and a handful of
these have found their way into the pet turtle industry.
- See more at: http://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-turtle/types/#sthash.sscvPDR2.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-turtle/types/#sthash.sscvPDR2.dpuf
Turtles are apart of the class called reptile (Reptilia). Reptiles can be described as cold-blooded (Ectothermic:
metabolism that is controled by the surrounding environment) animals
that have scales or scutes on their skin, lay shelled eggs, breathe air
tetrapods (having four legs or descended from four legs). Turtles and
tortoises then get grouped into Chelonians (Chelonia superorder), and again into the order Testudinidae for tortoises and Testudines for turtles.
Turtles are some of the oldest of the Chelonians (snakes, lizards,
turtles) as the first turtles are thought to be first date back 200
million years. Today, there are around 300 species and a handful of
these have found their way into the pet turtle industry.
- See more at: http://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-turtle/types/#sthash.sscvPDR2.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-turtle/types/#sthash.sscvPDR2.dpuf
Turtles are apart of the class called reptile (Reptilia). Reptiles can be described as cold-blooded (Ectothermic:
metabolism that is controled by the surrounding environment) animals
that have scales or scutes on their skin, lay shelled eggs, breathe air
tetrapods (having four legs or descended from four legs). Turtles and
tortoises then get grouped into Chelonians (Chelonia superorder), and again into the order Testudinidae for tortoises and Testudines for turtles.
Turtles are some of the oldest of the Chelonians (snakes, lizards,
turtles) as the first turtles are thought to be first date back 200
million years. Today, there are around 300 species and a handful of
these have found their way into the pet turtle industry.
- See more at: http://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-turtle/types/#sthash.sscvPDR2.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-turtle/types/#sthash.sscvPDR2.dpuf
Turtles are apart of the class called reptile (Reptilia). Reptiles can be described as cold-blooded (Ectothermic:
metabolism that is controled by the surrounding environment) animals
that have scales or scutes on their skin, lay shelled eggs, breathe air
tetrapods (having four legs or descended from four legs). Turtles and
tortoises then get grouped into Chelonians (Chelonia superorder), and again into the order Testudinidae for tortoises and Testudines for turtles.
Turtles are some of the oldest of the Chelonians (snakes, lizards,
turtles) as the first turtles are thought to be first date back 200
million years. Today, there are around 300 species and a handful of
these have found their way into the pet turtle industry.
- See more at: http://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-turtle/types/#sthash.sscvPDR2.dpuf
- See more at: http://www.caringpets.org/how-to-take-care-of-a-turtle/types/#sthash.sscvPDR2.dpuf
