Turtles are reptiles with hard shells that protect them from predators. They are among the oldest and most primitive groups of reptiles , having evolved millions of years ago. They live all over the world in almost all types of climate.
According to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System , the order of turtles, Testudines (or chelonians), is divided into two suborders, Cryptodira and Pleurodira, and then divided into 13 families, 75 genera, and more than 300 species.
Although they are generally called turtles, we can make two major divisions into: aquatic turtles and land turtles.
Sea turtles have roamed the Earth’s oceans for the past 110 million years. They represent an important link with marine ecosystems, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds; (In fact, some sea turtles also eat large amounts of jellyfish as they have specially shaped mouths and jaws to help them eat the foods they like best). But sea turtle populations have been declining over time. Thousands of sea turtles are accidentally caught by fishing gear each year, and the beaches they depend on for nesting are disappearing.
Six of the seven species of sea turtles that swim in the planet’s waters (leatherback, loggerhead turtle, Kemp turtle, green turtle, and hawksbill turtle) are found in all oceans except the Arctic and Antarctica. The seventh, the flat turtle, lives only in the waters around Australia.
Like other reptiles, turtles are cold-blooded. Many species of turtles can hide their heads inside their shells when attacked by predators. But not all can.
Being one of the four major reptile families, along with crocodiles, lizards, and snakes and tuataras, turtles have been the subject of human fascination for thousands of years. But how much do you really know about these reptiles? We explain a few curiosities about turtles, from how these vertebrates evolved to why it is not advisable to keep them as pets.
