Chelonians - Turtles

Turtles, tortoises, and terrapins are a group of reptiles that include over 300 different species. Turtles are found in saltwater oceans, brackish bays, freshwater ponds and rivers, forests, and even deserts.

Most turtles have a hard shell, but some turtles such as soft shell turtles and the leatherback sea turtle, have soft or even spongy shells. A turtle's shell is actually composed of its ribs and backbone fused together and covered in scales called “scutes.” The shell is a living part of the turtles body and is sensitive to pressure and pain. Turtles can not ever take their shell off. As a young turtle grows, its shell grows with it - turtles do not shed their shell.

All turtles, even sea turtles, lay eggs on land. The female turtles dig a hole with their back feet (or flippers), lay their eggs, and then leave. The eggs are not guarded or protected in any way and the baby turtles do not receive any parental care.

Turtles that survive to adulthood can live a long time. The giant Galapagos tortoise, Aldabra tortoise, and African spurred tortoise have been known to live over 170 years!