Turtles & Tortoises

Sculpture is an art form in which objects are made through carving, casting or other shaping techniques. While sculptures are traditionally made from wood, marble or clay, they can also be made from…

Steel flanges offer a way to secure metal pipe and prevent leaks and other damage. Choosing the right metal flange and other metal fittings is dependent upon what type of substance flows through the…

Galapagos giant tortoises, known by the Latin name Geochelone elephantopus, or Geochelone nigra, are found only on the Galapagos Islands. Before being depleted by 19th century whalers and pirates, the…

A turtle kept as a pet requires a cage that will provide it with a place to sleep and access to food and water. The turtle also requires temperature control and enough room to move. Build the…

Tortoises often make excellent pets for reptile enthusiasts because they tend to be docile and easy care for once their habitat has been established properly. One of the most natural ways to keep a…

The turtles officially known as “green turtles,”Chelonia mydas, are marine turtles. This endangered species does not make a suitable pet, even in the unlikely event that you had the…

Box turtles are primarily outdoor creatures that like to explore their habitat. Building your own box turtle pen requires you to create an environment that is safe, while at the same time provides…

Because land tortoises need a large indoor or outdoor cage or pen rather than a tank, maintaining the correct humidity is not as straightforward as it is for smaller reptiles. You can’t do much…

Tortoises can make great pets, but before you take on a tortoise as a petyou have you have to have the proper habitat for it. Most tortoises are kept in an outdoor habitat, and they generally do not…

The false map turtle is a medium-sized, mainly aquatic reptile native to the U.S. It grows between 5 to 10 inches in length and has a broad, flattened, dark brown shell. It is not a common aquatic…

If you are a first time tortoise keeper, the red-foot tortoise may be an apt pet for you. This is a hardy animal and if you look after it well, you will have a pet for the rest of your life. Usually,…

The forest hingeback tortoise (Scientific name: Kinixys erosa), naturally found in forests in Africa, needs a more specific habitat to become healthy. The two most important things to monitor when…

Desert tortoises have some distinguishing features that separate them from regular tortoises. Draw desert tortoises with help from an artist in this free video clip.

While exploring the Kaya Forest area of Nabooti Island in "Poptropica," you encounter a tortoise that blocks your access to a buried treasure. Trying to move the tortoise by hand will just…

When you go away from home, it's natural to worry about your pets. Yellow bellied slider turtles can easily go for a few days without attention. As long as the temperatures are kept consistent and the…

The Florida redbelly turtle, also referred to as the red-bellied cooter, originates in Florida and southern Georgia in any type of aquatic habitat and lives on a mostly herbivorous diet. Redbelly…

Helping hatch a turtle egg can be a rewarding experience. As with hatching most animals from an egg, it is important to follow steps in an organized and careful manner. There are many things that need…

Geochelone carbonaria, also known as the red-footed or red-legged tortoise, is a colorful South American species. One of the most colorful of all tortoises, it is a medium-sized species that is often…

The cold, damp winter months call for warm clothing and protected necks. Turtle necks offer that warmth and comfort, but they also lack versatility. Alternatively, cardigans can be layered over…

Tortoises date back to prehistoric periods of Earth. These shelled creatures live longer than most animals and inhabit extreme environments such as deserts and tropical islands. Many tortoises are…

Elementary school students can learn about sea turtles by devoting class time to projects on their life cycle. Sea turtles are an endangered species, so teaching students about their breeding and…

Tortoises, which are different from turtles because they are a land-dwelling species, are easily identified by their shells -- called the carapace. The carapace allows them to retract their legs and…

In the U.S., the type of terrapin turtle that is commonly used as a pet is the diamondback terrapin. This species of turtle is unique because it is the only species of turtle in North America to spend…

The red ear slider turtle, also known as red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), is a good turtle for beginners. They are a medium-sized species that is quite hardy. They do require a fair…

Diamondback turtles, scientifically known as Malaclemys terrapin, are known for their distinctive markings, which make them more beautiful and vibrant compared to other turtles that are native to the…

Pet turtles can live in any room of your house as long as they have the proper enclosure. The turtle needs enough space to move around, lighting, clean water and fresh food. Semi-aquatic turtles need…

"The Tortoise and the Hare," an Aesop's Fables tale, has been popular among children for thousands of years. It's moral lesson about persistence paying off. In addition to reading the tale to…

Aquatic turtles require habitats offering terrestrial and aquatic areas. Turtles enjoy rocks, sand and plants within their habitats. Turtles are not as clean as fish within an aquarium, however, so…

Tortoise enclosures come in two general types: indoor or outdoor. No matter where the cage is, the basic elements of cage material, lighting, heating, ground substrate and presence of a sunning or…

Land box turtles are unique from other turtles, in that they're terrestrial inhabitants. These turtles make interesting and low-maintenance pets. There are several different varieties of land box…

All seven sea turtle species are being poached for their eggs, shells and meat. The leatherback, the largest of all the species; green; loggerhead; hawksbill; olive ridley; kemp's ridley; and flatback…

Turtles may not wag their tails and lick your face, and they may not purr when they are stroked or chase a string to entertain you; but they also won't keep you up barking, claw up the furniture or…

Giant tortoises, also known as Galapagos tortoises, inhabit the 19-island chain of Galapagos, off the coast of South America. The extreme isolation of the Galapagos Islands resulted in the development…

Turtles and tortoises have some differences -- size and habitat preference -- but share common tastes in their diets. The majority of turtles and tortoises lack teeth, but they chew their food since…

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is known as a "keystone species." This means that many other species depend on the gopher tortoise for their shelter -- and even for their survival. This is…

Officially, there is no such thing as a miniature turtle. However, some turtles will remain small, less than 5 or 6 inches long, making them easier to keep than their larger brethren. The most popular…

A turtle can live for 50 years in the proper environment. This reptile does not like to be held or played with, and will prefer to stay in its tank. To keep your turtle alive and happy, provide it…

Many animal lovers choose to own pet turtles for their ascetic beauty and relative low maintenance. Often however, pet turtle owners worry if their turtle is receiving enough nutrition to ensure a…

A turtle's shell comes in two parts: the upper portion, or the carapace, and the bottom portion, called the plastron. The shell is made of fused bones and is covered in keratin, which is what makes up…

The Reeve's turtle is becoming a popular pet in America, and can live to be 50 years old. This reptile is native to China and Korea but is now being found in different areas around the planet. Caring…

Several tortoise species require the safety of a burrow to adapt to life in captivity. Tortoise burrows are an essential part of any outdoor environment since they provide a secure place for a…

The African helmeted turtle is the most common turtle species found south of the Saharan Desert in Africa. In the wild, this hardy turtle is found in marshes and creeks during the rainy season and in…

You can design a sea turtle in Illustrator to help you create scenes taking place underwater, and to visually communicate the idea of this aquatic reptile. You will be able to enlarge the turtle you…

Box turtles, one of the most popular reptile pets, have a movable hinge on their lower shell that allows them to retract and close up so completely that no flesh is exposed. With proper care, the box…

Given the proper outdoor environment, American box turtles and aquatic turtles, such as red-eared sliders and cooters, will lay viable eggs, and when inclimate weather comes, those hatchlings need a…

A healthy female Russian tortoise will lay one to five eggs at a time twice a year. The first mating will occur about 6-8 weeks after the hibernation period. The female tortoise will become restless…

The Mississippi mud turtle is a subspecies of the eastern mud turtle, a freshwater turtle that spends considerable time on land. Though under increasing pressure from habitat destruction, the species…

The term desert tortoise describes both a specific breed of tortoise and a broad classification of tortoises that include sulcatas, Egyptian tortoises and several other species that thrive in a hot,…

The yellow-bellied slider -- scientific name: Trachemys scripta scripta -- is a type of freshwater turtle that is also a known aquarium pet. Suitable for new or beginner pet turtle owners, the…

There are dozens of varieties of turtles and identifying them can be difficult without the right information. The yellow spotted side-necked turtle, or "yellow neck turtle" for short, is a variety of…