eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.
There are many different kinds of turtles, over 250 species in fact. You can find them almost anywhere. Many people confuse turtles and tortoises. What you call these shelled creatures of the order Chelonia, may just depend on where you live. In Australia, only sea turtles are considered turtles; everything else is a tortoise.... more »
It goes without saying that turtles are cute and fascinating. The problem is that it can sometimes be hard to find these elusive creatures. Since these animals tend to be every carnivorous creature's ideal prey, it makes them eager to hide and keep to themselves. Read on to learn how to find turtles. more »
Turtles are varied creatures, and there are many species with each having differing behaviors, diets and habits. Some turtles are carnivores, some are omnivores and some are vegetarians. For all turtles, food is obtained in one of two ways--they hunt for it or they depend upon their environment to provide it. To know what type of food... more »
One of the most interesting pets to have in your home is a turtle. Turtles are relatively easy to take care of and have an ancestry of prehistoric origins. Turtles are not the easiest of pets to breed, however. With a little bit of work and care, you can get your own litter of baby turtles. more »
Turtles and tortoises can live amazingly long lives. The longest documented turtle life span is of Tui Malila, a turtle that belonged to the royal family of Tonga. Tui Malila was born in 1777 and lived until 1965--an incredible 188 years! Although there is no way to precisely tell the age of a turtle, by following the steps below, you... more »
Dogs and cats are the most common pets around, but what if you're looking for a smaller pet...
If you are near a stream or a pond, keep your eyes open because may spot is a turtle. There are quite a few different kinds of turtles in North... more »
Most people who have pets are not animal experts. Being able to tell the male from female in some species, such as turtles, can be difficult for... more »
Besides being utterly adorable, baby turtles are energetic, instinctual water lovers. They are found on all continents and often serve as great... more »
Turtles are creatures of the ocean that captivate people. These reptiles glide peacefully through the water, as if their shells were light as a... more »
Turtles are small, they're cute, and they're not hard to take care of, which makes them pretty good pets for just about anyone. There are plenty... more »
regnum [[Animalia
| phylum subphylum [[Vertebrata
| classis ordo [[Testudines
| subordo_authority subdivision_ranks [[Suborders
| subdivision
Cryptodira
Pleurodira
and see text
}}
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines (the crown group of the superorder Chelonia), characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield. "Turtle" may either refer to the Testudines as a whole, or to particular Testudines which make up a form taxon that is not monophyletic—see also sea turtle, terrapin, tortoise, and the discussion below.
The order Testudines includes both extant (living) and extinct species. The earliest known turtles date from 215 million years ago, making turtles one of the oldest reptile groups and a more ancient group than lizards and snakes. About 300 species are alive today, and some are highly endangered.
Like other reptiles, turtles are ectotherms—varying their internal temperature according to the ambient environment, commonly called cold-blooded. Anomalistically, leatherback sea turtle have higher body temperature than surrounding water since their high metabolic rate. Like other amniotes (reptiles, dinosaurs, birds, and mammals), they breathe air and do not lay eggs underwater, although many species live in or around water. The largest turtles are aquatic.
Anatomy and morphology
The largest chelonian is the great leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), which reaches a shell length of and can reach a weight of over . Freshwater turtles are generally smaller, but with the largest species, the Asian softshell turtle Pelochelys cantorii, a few individuals have been reported up to . This dwarfs even the better-known Alligator Snapping Turtle, the largest chelonian in North America, which attains a shell length of up to and a weight of about .
Giant tortoises of the genera Geochelone, Meiolania, and others were rel read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle
Connect with people who share your interest by joining one of our Groups:
How to Choose Bridal Shoes That Fit Your Style
How to get free HD channels with Comcast
Gecko Lizard Varieties & Types
How to Be Prepared for a Plumbing Emergency
How to Stop a Shopaholic
How to Put Together a Designer Clothing Collection - Tips from Project Runway
Wonders of the World
Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License.
