Turtles: Order Testudines

• Includes: Tortoises, terrapins, sea turtles

• Number of Species: over 313

• Range: Turtles are located in cool-temperate to tropical habitats across world. A high diversity of these are found in Southeastern United State and Southeastern Asia

• Habitat: marine, freshwater, and terrestrial

• Characteristics

  • Turtles have protective shells made of bone and keratin or leathery skin. The top part of the shell is called the carapace and the bottom part is called the plastron.

  • The vertebrae and ribs of turtles are fused to their shells. This prevents them from leaving their shells behind as seen in many cartoons.

  • Turtles lack teeth and instead have keratinized beaks which are used for chopping up pieces of food to swallow whole when needed.

  • Those that have higher domed shells are typically more land dwelling turtles and turtles with lower domed shells are usually more aquatic.

• Behavior

  • Due to their bulky and heavy shells, most turtles are relatively slow and rely on their ability to hide in their tough shells to avoid predators rather than fleeing.

• Senses

  • Sound perception is usually poor in turtles and very few of them vocalize.

  • They have a good sense of smell and can see color.

• Reproduction

  • All turtles lay eggs and dig holes to protect their young from weather and predators. 

  • Some turtles’ nest temperature determines sex of hatchlings. In general low nest temperatures make males and high nest temperatures make females.

  • Many turtles take a long time to mature sexually.

  • Males of many species of turtles have slightly curved in plastrons to mount females during breeding. Males also usually have longer tails than females. 

• Unique Threats

  • Many turtles are hunted for their meat which is used to make soups and Chinese medicinal remedies.

• Fun facts:

  • In North America turtle is the all-inclusive term including all turtles and tortoise applies specifically to the land forms. In Britain tortoise is the all-inclusive term, and turtle only applies to the aquatic members of the group.

  • Some of them can live more than 150 years.

  • The largest species of turtle is the leatherback sea turtle which can reach over 2,000 pounds and 7 feet in length.

    • This is also a unique species of reptile in that creates its own body heat. Because of this trait they have been found in cold oceans beyond the Arctic Circle.

• Information/ Care Sheets

  • Red Footed Tortoises

  • Sulcata Tortoise

  • Leopard Tortoise

  • Gopher Tortoise

  • Alligator Snapping Turtle

  • Softshell Turtle