10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT TURTLES
1. About 356 different species of turtles may be found worldwide.
1. About 356 different species of turtles may be found worldwide.
2. Because they lack gills, turtles require oxygen just like humans do.
2. Because they lack gills, turtles require oxygen just like humans do.
3. The leatherback, which may grow to be up to 2000 pounds and 8 feet long, is the biggest marine turtle currently living.
3. The leatherback, which may grow to be up to 2000 pounds and 8 feet long, is the biggest marine turtle currently living.
4. The Speckled Dwarf Tortoise, or Chersobius signatus (family: Testudinidae), is the tiniest turtle.
4. The Speckled Dwarf Tortoise, or Chersobius signatus (family: Testudinidae), is the tiniest turtle.
5. The leatherback
turtle swimming the farthest distance is a female. Over the course
of 647 days,
5. The leatherback
turtle swimming the farthest distance is a female. Over the course
of 647 days,
she travelled
approximately 21,000 kilometres from
Indonesia to the west
coast of America.
Over 30 kilometres
every day!
she travelled
approximately 21,000 kilometres from
Indonesia to the west
coast of America.
Over 30 kilometres
every day!
6. The Hawaiian green sea turtle, also known as the honu turtle, is a unique and only native reptile to Hawaii.
6. The Hawaiian green sea turtle, also known as the honu turtle, is a unique and only native reptile to Hawaii.
7. The carapace is the top portion of the shell, while the plastron is the bottom.
7. The carapace is the top portion of the shell, while the plastron is the bottom.
8. A turtle's skeleton includes its shell.
8. A turtle's skeleton includes its shell.
9. The majority of species have 50–60 bones and a protective shell to protect their bodies
9. The majority of species have 50–60 bones and a protective shell to protect their bodies
and internal organs. Soft shells are unique to some species only.
and internal organs. Soft shells are unique to some species only.
10. Green sea turtles are unique among sea turtles in that they are primarily herbivores, eating mostly seagrasses and algae.
10. Green sea turtles are unique among sea turtles in that they are primarily herbivores, eating mostly seagrasses and algae.