In the family land turtles(lat. Testudinidae) distinguish 10-13 genera (depending on taxonomy), including about 40 species.

About 20 species of land tortoises live in Africa and 8 species in South-East Asia. Several species can be found in Southern Europe, 3 species in South America and 2 species in North America. Most species of land turtles inhabit deserts, steppes and savannahs. Individual species can also be found in wooded areas.

Among land turtles, there are both giant forms, reaching a meter or more in length, and small animals 10-12 cm long.

The shell of these terrestrial animals is high, less often flattened. The head and thick columnar legs are covered with scutes and scales.

All land turtles are slow and clumsy. Unlike fresh aquatic turtles in case of danger, they do not flee, but use only a means of passive protection - the shell.

In the wild, tortoises feed mainly on a variety of green vegetation, with only occasional invertebrates. If succulent vegetation is present in the diet, they can do without water for a long time, but if possible they drink with pleasure.

The central genus of the family of terrestrial tortoises is the terrestrial tortoises (Testudo). These turtles are widely distributed in Africa, South America, South and West Asia, and also in Southern Europe. Apparently, the most ancient varieties can be considered the once numerous giant tortoises, rare specimens of which can still be found today in the Galapagos and Seychelles.

Lives on the Galapagos Islands (Testudo elerhantopus). Adult individuals weigh about 100 kg, and the weight of individual giants can reach 400 kg.

Testudo elehantopus

Various geographic forms giant tortoise(Testudo gigantea) 200 years ago met in the Seychelles, Madagascar, on about. Rodriguez and on about. Isabela. Unfortunately, fishing for these majestic animals has led to their extinction on most of the islands. Today they can only be found on the Aldabra Atoll.

Both Testudo elerhantopus and Testudo gigantea are unsurpassed giants of the tortoise world, however, other representatives of this genus can be quite impressive in size. It's about about African spur(Testudo sulсata) and panther(Testudo pardalis) turtles, whose shell length can reach 70 cm.

Leopard, or panther turtles are native to the savannahs of South and East Africa. Their habitats are characterized by a large amount of diverse vegetation, where they prefer grassy areas overgrown with undersized shrubs. These turtles are able to climb mountains up to 2000 m above sea level. The main background of the panther tortoise carapace is sandy yellow. Juveniles have a dark brown pattern on the scutes of the carapace.

The African spurred tortoise is often confused with the Mediterranean tortoise with a spur on its thigh. The latter is not only much smaller in size, but also has completely different habitat requirements. The length of the African spurred tortoise can reach 83 cm, and the maximum recorded weight is 105 kg. Keeping a spur turtle at home is only possible if you live in a hot and dry climate and can provide the animal with a large area for grazing outside the house. This species of turtle digs huge holes and can dig under fences and house walls. The spur-bearing turtle requires a lot of fresh vegetation as food.

Another rather rather big turtle (the length of the shell can reach 50 cm) with great coloring is Madagascar radiant tortoise(Testudo radiata) Its high domed black carapace is decorated with bright yellow rays stretching to the edges of the shields. In addition to this species, Madagascar is home to Madagascar beak-breasted tortoise(Testudo yniphora) and a flat turtle (Testudo planiсauda), which is distinguished by its miniature size (shell length is not more than 12 cm). The same tiny South African knobby turtle(Testudo tentoria). The southern regions of the mainland are also inhabited by two larger species - beak-breasted turtle(Testudo angulata) and geometric turtle(Testudo geometrika).

The northern regions of Africa cannot boast the same species diversity of turtles as the southern ones. In North Africa, only 2 species of the genus Testudo are found: mediterranean tortoise(Testudo graeca) and the Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleimanni).

mediterranean tortoise in addition to North Africa, it is found in Asia Minor, in southern Spain, in the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean, in the east of the Balkan Peninsula, in Iran. Prefers to live in semi-deserts, steppes, mountain slopes and dry sparse forests. The shell of the Mediterranean tortoise is convex, yellow or olive in color with dark spots on the scutes. There are spurs on the thighs. The length of the shell can reach 35 cm. The basis of the diet is various vegetation, but if possible, it also eats invertebrates. The Mediterranean tortoise is often kept at home. It is relatively unpretentious and with an abundance of heat and proper feeding lives in captivity for decades.

(Testudo kleinmanni) lives in the deserts of Northeast Africa. The length of the carapace of this baby is only about 12 cm. The carapace is colored yellow with dark spots. In danger, the "Egyptian" quickly burrows into the sand.

Central Asian tortoise(Testudo horsfieldi) lives in the steppes Central Asia, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the north-west of India, as well as in the southern regions of Kazakhstan. You can meet her in sandy and clay deserts with thickets of vegetation, on cultivated lands and in river valleys. In the foothill areas, it is able to rise up to 1200 m above sea level.

Today, turtle lovers most often find this particular variety. The most important thing when keeping a Central Asian tortoise at home is an abundance of heat and light. green leaves, edible flowers, vegetables and fruits. With a clear regime, they quickly get used to the place and time of feeding.

In winter Central Asian tortoise it is recommended to install.

Kinix Turtles(genus Kinihys)live in the tropical regions of Central Africa. This genus has a very original shell structure: the posterior third of the carapace (the underside of the shell) is connected to the main part of the transverse tendon layer. They use this feature at the moment of danger as a defense mechanism for soft, fleshy parts. The largest turtle of this genus, the toothed kinix (Kinixys erosa), reaches a length of 30 cm. Without experience, it is rather difficult.

flat turtles(genus Homorus) includes 4 species. They live in South Africa, where they are found in semi-deserts and dry woodlands. These are one of the smallest land turtles (the length of the shell is about 10-11 cm). The largest species in this genus, Homorus femoralis, grows up to a maximum of 15 cm.

Another miniature turtle (Pyhis arachnoides), whose shell length does not exceed 10 cm, lives in the west of Madagascar. spider turtle can be found in dry savanna woodlands or in thickets of shrubs. The anterior part of the reptile plastron is movably connected to the main part by means of a transverse tendon ligament. This feature allows the animal to close in front when attacked by predators.

Another genus close to land turtles is the gopher (Gorherus). This genus is represented by (Gorherus roluphemus), which lives in the southern regions of the United States and in northern Mexico, where it is found in dry sandy areas, dunes, and pine woodlands on the sands. This species differs from terrestrial turtles in flattened strong front legs and wide and short claws, which are adapted to digging the ground (they can dig holes from 3 to 12 m). Gopher turtles reach a length of 34 cm. The low, sometimes slightly tuberculate shell is painted brown with light, indistinct spots.

Lives in Tanzania and Kenya elastic turtle(Malacochersus tornieri), which has a very unusual appearance. Its shell is formed by thin perforated bone plates and is soft to the touch. The underside of the carapace is strongly flattened and cut off almost vertically at the back, while the marginal shields protrude backward like toothed lobes. The elastic turtle perfectly climbs and climbs between stones, and in case of danger it hides under stones or in crevices of rocks. When you try to get it out of the gap, it jams with your feet, and perhaps even swells slightly.

Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

If you have a turtle, then it will be useful for you to know what gender it is. However, unlike many mammals, turtles (which are not actually mammals) do not have external sex organs. This makes sex determination a more difficult task, which, however, can still be mastered. It will be easier for you to determine the sex of a turtle if you take two turtles of different sexes for comparison. If you only have one turtle, then you will need to learn how to more features males and females for sex determination.

Look at the turtle shell. Turtle shells, or shells, differ slightly by gender. The shell of an adult male is more elongated than that of an adult female.

• When determining the sex of a turtle, this method can be quite limited because you have to make sure the turtle has reached sexual maturity. You may think that this is a male, but in fact it turns out that the turtle has not yet reached its sexual maturity.
• There may be differences between the sizes of a large male and a small female, because of this it may not be possible to determine the sex, especially if you have one individual.

1. Examine the turtle's plastron. The plastron is the lower (abdominal) part of the shell. To examine the plastron, carefully turn the turtle upside down. They don't like to be upside down and may try to bite, so hold the turtle by the edges of the shell near the tail so it can't reach you. Carefully turn the turtle over and look at the plastron. The plastron of the male is slightly concave (curving inward), while that of the female is flat.

   • The concave plastron of the male turtle allows the animal to hold on to the female during mating.
   • The flat shape of the female's plastron is associated with the need to bear eggs.

2. Check if the turtle's tail has a notch. The male turtle has a V-shaped notch at the back of its shell. The notch for the tail is necessary for mating turtles. Otherwise, the tail may be pressed against the plastron.

   Look at the visual features. Some species of turtles have characteristic sex differences in color:

   • American box turtle: In 90% of cases, the irises of the males are red or orange, while those of the females are brown or yellow. In addition, females have a higher, dome-shaped, rounded carapace, while the male has a more flattened, oval or oblong carapace.
   • Painted turtle: if the turtle's plastron of blue color, this is a male, and if the plastron is of a different color than blue, then this is a female.

   Detailed Features

   1. Examine the turtle's claws. Male turtles use their claws when mating with females. They also use their claws to fight and defend their territory. Thus, the claws on the front paws of males tend to be longer than those of females. Again, this is more obvious when you have two turtles of different sexes to compare with each other.

      • The red swamp water turtle has a pronounced difference between the claws of the male and female.

   2. Look at the cloaca of a turtle. Males and females have a hole located at the bottom of the tail. It is called a cloaca; its location depends on the gender.

      • In the female, the cloaca is more round and has the shape of a star. It is close to the body, almost under the shell.
      • The cloaca of the male is longer and larger. It is located in the last third of the tail towards its tip.
   3. • To determine the sex of a turtle using this method, you must know the tail size of the male or female. Otherwise, this method may be unreliable.

   4. Combine several features to draw a conclusion. You can quite accurately determine the sex of a turtle if you evaluate all the above signs and analyze them together. Keep in mind that some signs are less reliable than others for determining the sex of a turtle.

   • Drawings or photographs will help you analyze the cloaca. For this, for example, there is a very convenient and good book Turtles. Maintenance, diseases and treatment” D. Vasiliev.
   • There are many types sea ​​turtles(in particular, Atlantic ridleys, Kemp's sea turtles and others), which do not have external sexual characteristics. Talk to a marine veterinarian to find out what gender your turtle is.

   Warnings

   Sources

   Article Information

   This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliot, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal care. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Works at the same animal clinic in his hometown over 20 years.

(Chelonia), a detachment of reptiles, the only representatives of reptiles whose body is covered with a shell. They are found in all warm regions of the world. Several species are inhabitants of the seas and oceans, but mostly they are land and freshwater forms.

This group appeared in the Triassic ca. 200 million years ago. It is possible that turtles descended directly from cotilosaurs, the most primitive reptiles. Although there are few fossils supporting this hypothesis, the extinct genus Eunotosaurus quite suitable for the role of an evolutionary "link". This animal had a flattened body and greatly expanded ribs.

Unlike their snake relatives, turtles were rarely worshiped and never inspired much fear. Indeed, they practically do not pose a danger to human life. Unless a swimmer gets too close to a male leatherback turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea), can be grabbed by its strong flippers and drowned. The fact is that in a state of strong sexual arousal, he is able to take any large object for a female.

Anatomy. The body of turtles is enclosed in a shell, which partly also protects the head, neck and limbs. Its upper part, or carapace, covers the back and sides of the reptile, the lower, or plastron, belly. The shell is so strong that it can withstand the weight of 200 times the weight of the owner.

Usually the inner layer of the shell is bony, and the outer layer is formed by hard horny tissue. Both layers consist of many elements tightly fitted to each other. The bony elements are called plates, and the horny ones are called scutes. The greater strength of the shell is partly due to the fact that the boundaries between the inner plates and outer plates do not coincide.

As the size of the turtle increases, a horny substance grows along the edges of each shield. If growth is interrupted by periods of hibernation, growth rings are clearly visible on the scutes, allowing one to estimate the age of the individual.

The ribs fuse with the shell, so rib cage motionless. As a result, the turtle's breathing resembles the diaphragmatic breathing characteristic of humans and other mammals. Special muscles pull back internal organs back, allowing the lungs to fill with air; then other muscles reverse the process by squeezing the lungs. Some water sports are not completely dependent on pulmonary respiration and are able to absorb oxygen also through the mucous membrane of the pharynx.

Differences between males and females (sexual dimorphism) are expressed differently depending on the species; sometimes they are completely invisible. Comparison of males and females of other species shows that in the former the tail is longer and thicker, and the anus is located further from its base. This dimorphism is especially pronounced in giant sea turtles. Other sex differences relate to the shape of the plastron, the color and size of the head, and the overall dimensions of the body.

Mating and oviposition. Mating behavior begins with courtship, the forms of which are species-specific. The male can "butt" and push the female, gently biting her. In large turtles, courtship is sometimes accompanied by loud grunts. Male painted turtle ( Chrysemys picta) and decorated turtles ( Pseudemys) demonstrate tender feelings in a special way: swimming backwards and dragging the female along with them, they stroke or pat her on the muzzle with the long claws of their front paws.

Mating can take place on land or in water. In this case, the penis, in a calm state, hidden at the base of the tail, extends through the opening of the cloaca. Females of some species of turtles can store viable sperm for a long time (this is also true for some other vertebrates), and one mating allows them to lay fertilized eggs over the next few years. However, their number decreases every year until a new portion of sperm is obtained.

Turtle eggs are oval or round, white or almost white. Females bury them in the ground to a depth not exceeding the length of the hind legs, or hide them in a pile of rotting plants. Most often these are well-lit places. Usually there is one clutch per year, but in some sea turtles their number reaches seven in one breeding season. Eggs in a clutch, depending on the species, from one to 200.

Hatching. The period of incubation and hatching is the most dangerous in the life of turtles; at this time, numerous enemies feast on their delicious eggs and still soft-bodied cubs. Mammals dig up clutches, and seabirds grab newly hatched turtles as they rush along the shore to the water. Once in the water, babies become prey voracious fish. At this time, a large number of lovers of their eggs and cubs usually accumulate near the breeding grounds of turtles. Depending on the species, hardening of the shell takes a different time, but, as a rule, at least several months. After that, turtles become relatively inaccessible to predators.

In nature, turtles grow quickly. An example is known when, even in captivity, Galapagos elephant tortoises ( Geochelone elephantopus), starting at about 11 kg, added the same amount annually until they weighed more than 100 kg. Many small species reach sexual maturity at the age of 2 to 11 years.

Lifespan. No known vertebrate lives as long as turtles. Most of the information indicating that their life expectancy is slightly more than 50 years relates to individuals kept in captivity. Some species certainly live much longer. Age of the Carolina box turtle ( Terrapene carolina), found in Rhode Island, was almost certainly 130 years old. The maximum period is approx. 150 years, but it is quite possible that the real life expectancy of individual individuals is much longer.

Nutrition. Turtles in general can be called omnivores, although some species prefer plant food, others animal food, and still others eat everything. A strictly specialized diet is rare. Some aquatic turtles only feed underwater. Very young individuals need daily feeding, but this is not necessary for adults. In fact, having eaten well, they can go months, and possibly years, without food.

Turtles have no teeth, and the sharp edges of their jaws are capable of biting food, but not chewing it. Tough fibrous plants are not easy for turtles to cope with, and animal meat sometimes has to be torn into pieces using claws on their front paws. In some species, horny ridges are located inside the mouth, allowing them to crush prey protected by hard covers.

Sense organs and higher nervous activity. Turtles are good at smelling close range and, judging by some observations, use the sense of smell when choosing food. Vision is also well developed: these animals can be taught to recognize contours and colors. Both the carapace and the scaly skin have tactile sensitivity, and the giant tortoise even feels the pressure of a straw that is passed over its massive carapace. Although it has long been known that turtles are sensitive to vibrations transmitted through the soil, their ability to perceive air sound waves has long been controversial. Today, the existence of at least a weak "ordinary" hearing in them is considered proven.

Compared to other reptiles, turtles are very smart. They easily learn to follow the owner, seem to enjoy the attention provided and get used to a certain regime. Apparently, some individuals are smarter than others. For example, among the six gophers Agassi ( Gopherus agassizi) living together, one individual own will climbed up inclined plane onto the platform and rolled down the metal chute from the other side. She obviously enjoyed this activity and repeated it for hours on end. But in some situations, turtles are surprisingly slow-witted. For example, they can spend a lot of energy climbing over an obstacle that is easy to get around; or for a long time trying to squeeze through a gap that is much smaller than them in size.

BASIC FAMILIES Described over 200 modern species turtles. These are just the remnants of a huge number of species that existed during the era of reptiles, which lasted approximately 120 million years and ended approx. 70 million years ago. The species that have survived to this day are grouped into 12 families. The most famous of them are described below.

Cheloniidae(sea turtles). Five or six species of the family large reptiles with limbs resembling paddles or flippers. These are exclusively aquatic animals, coming ashore only to lay their eggs or bask in the sun. It is very difficult for them to move on land. At least one species is found in all warm oceans.

Green (soup) turtle ( Chelonia mydas) the most famous of the sea turtles. It is distributed throughout the globe, and it is from it that the famous turtle soup is prepared. Previously, these reptiles were essentially ruthlessly exterminated, often killing females just before oviposition.

Dermochelyidae(leather turtles). Leatherback turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea) the only living species of this family. This giant can reach a mass of more than 680 kg with a front flipper span of 3.6 m. The leathery shell bears 7 longitudinal ridges on the dorsal side and 5 on the ventral side. Although the range of these turtles covers all warm oceans, they are the rarest among the widespread marine species detachment. The question of the systematic position of the group remains controversial. It was singled out in a special suborder Athecae (shieldless), but most experts converge only on the rank of superfamily.

Trionychidae(three-clawed). These turtles are easily recognizable by their soft, leathery shell without any scutes. They have a flat body, an elongated conical snout, and legs with swimming webs. These are one of the most frisky turtles, moving quickly both in water and on land. Long neck allows you to grab food and bite the enemy painfully, even if they are at a considerable distance. The claws of large individuals can leave deep scratches. Representatives certain types they tolerate captivity well, living in it for up to 20 years or more (record 25). Some three-clawed turtles are highly prized for their delicious meat. The largest of their 20 species is the large soft-bodied turtle ( Pelochelys bibroni) lives in Southeast Asia; its shell reaches a length of more than 1.2 m. Representatives of this family live in North America, Africa, Southeast Asia, the Malay Archipelago and New Guinea. Three species are found in the USA.

Pelomedusidae, Chelidae(suborder side-necked turtles: pelomedusal and snake-necked). Representatives of these two families differ in the way the neck bends when the head is pulled under the edge of the shell: if in other turtles the neck bends in the vertical plane, then in them it is in the horizontal plane, which is explained by the special structure of the spine. Sidenecks are found in or near the Southern Hemisphere and are not found in North America, Europe, or Asia. Both families unite approx. 50 kinds. The most bizarre of all turtles matamata ( Chelus fimbriata) from South America belongs to the serpentine. Her head is covered with many outgrowths sticking out in different directions. In the Australian snake-necked turtle ( Chelodina longicollis) length thin neck almost the same as the shell.

Chelydridae(cayman turtles). The family includes only 2 species, of which the most famous is the caiman turtle ( Chelydra serpentina). This aquatic reptile inhabiting most of North America and northwestern South, abundant in southeastern Canada and the eastern half of the United States, where it is highly valued as a food item. Cayman tortoises unfairly accused of destruction a large number fish and waterfowl. The mass of these animals often reaches 13.6 kg. Pulled out of the water, they can bite painfully.

Another species, the vulture turtle ( Macrochelys temmincki) one of the giants of the detachment, reaching a mass of approx. 90 kg. These are not only the heaviest among its freshwater representatives, but also the most attached to water among the North American turtles. They are found in the southeastern United States, mainly in the lower reaches of the Mississippi. Being slow, the vulture tortoise lures prey with the help of a fleshy outgrowth of the bottom of the mouth, which moves in its open mouth like a worm.

Kinosternidae(silt turtles). Turtles of this family, which includes 21 species, usually live at the bottom of rivers and lakes. The range of the group stretches from southeastern Canada through the center and eastern part USA to South America. Eight species of mud turtle found in the United States have small, fleshy "antennae" on their chins that help distinguish them from other members of the order.

The most famous representative of the family ordinary musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) is common in the waters of the eastern United States. Its length does not exceed 13 cm, but it greatly annoys local fishermen, as it is often caught on a hook, and when it is picked up, it releases a smelly secret from the musk glands. In addition, she is belligerent and bites painfully.

Trailing turtles (genus Kinosternon) are found almost exclusively in the southeastern United States. They avoid deep water bodies and come out onto land from time to time. Range of the Pennsylvania tortoise ( Kinosternon subrubrum) stretches from the southeast of the country along Atlantic coast to the southwestern tip of Connecticut.

Testudinidae(land turtles). This family includes approx. 40 species of turtles found on every continent except Australia. It also includes the relatively small Mediterranean tortoise ( testudo graeca), and a giant elephant tortoise ( Geochelone elephantopus) from the Galapagos Islands, and some bizarre African species. So, in African tortoises, the kinix (genus Kinixys) the back of the carapace is movably connected to the front, an elastic turtle ( Malacochersus tornieri) from Tanzania and Kenya has a soft flattened shell of thin bone plates and can, in a moment of danger, clog into narrow rock crevices. The only members of this family found in the United States belong to the gopher genus ( Gopherus); they live in the southern part of the country.

In the 19th century Galapagos elephant tortoises were taken on whaling ships as meat supplies for sailors. The capture of millions of individuals has so undermined the population that it is in danger of extinction.

Emydidae(freshwater turtles). This is the largest family of the order, uniting more than a third of all its species. They are common on the northern continents, are also found in the north of South America and Africa and are very diverse in size and body shape.

Painted turtle ( Chrysemys picta), which is distributed throughout the United States, one of the most well-known representatives families. Often it reaches high numbers even in small ponds. box turtles (Terrapene) also a widespread genus, but not found in the western United States. These are mostly land animals; the movable elements of the plastron enable them to close tightly, like doors, all the openings of the shell. Decorated turtles ( Pseudemys) inhabit the southeastern United States.

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Genus Spiny turtles (Heosemys)

The very name of the genus - "spiny turtles" - leads to bewilderment; sometimes they are called more successfully - "forest". The marginal shields of the carapace of these turtles are equipped, as if bristling, with spikes. Such protection is justified: in this way, in the infantile stage, spiny turtles protect themselves from predators; as they grow older, the spines disappear almost entirely.

Five species of these bizarre tortoises are described: ARAKAN FOREST (H. depression), named after the mountainous region of Arakan (Rakhine) in southwestern Myanmar, INDOCINE, or GIANT SPIKED (H. grandis), PHILIPPINE (H. leytensis), FOREST SPORIOUS, or KOCHINSKY REED (H. silvaticd), named after the coastal region of Cochin (Kochchi) in the southwest of India and the COMMON SPIKED, or Jagged (H. spinosa) TURTLES.

Habitat and behavior of spiny turtles.

spiny turtles (Heosemys spinosa). These aquatic turtles from Indochina lead a terrestrial lifestyle. Juveniles have characteristic markings on the carapace and plastron.vary greatly - from semi-aquatic to terrestrial forms. The mating ritual is the same as that of tortoises.

Three species of spiny turtles are on the verge of extinction. So, the last fees Arakanese turtles, reaching 25 cm in length, did not give encouraging results; Philippine a turtle, 33 cm long, living on one island of Leyte, is known only from a few specimens; extremely rare cochin turtle. In 1911, two copies were mined in the mountain forest of Kerala (India). And only in 1982-1983. found a dozen of these secretive small turtles (they live in the forest floor and reach no more than 12-13 cm in length).

The tortoise is an animal of the chordate type, reptile class, order of the turtle (Testudines). These animals have existed on planet Earth for over 220 million years.

The turtle received its Latin name from the word "testa", meaning "brick", "tile" or "clay vessel". The Russian analogue comes from the Proto-Slavic word čerpaxa, which in turn comes from the modified Old Slavic word "čerpъ", "shard".

Turtle - description, characteristics and photos

turtle shell

A characteristic feature of turtles is the presence of a shell, which is designed to protect the animal from natural enemies. turtle shell consists of dorsal (carapace) and ventral (plastron) parts. The strength of this protective cover is such that it easily withstands a load exceeding the weight of a turtle by 200 times. The carapace consists of two parts: an inner armor made of bone plates, and an outer one made of horny shields. In some species of turtles, the bone plates are covered with dense skin. The plastron was formed thanks to the fused and ossified sternum, clavicles and abdominal ribs.

Depending on the species, the size and weight of the turtle vary significantly.

Among these animals, there are giants weighing more than 900 kg with a carapace size of 2.5 meters or more, but there are small turtles whose body weight does not exceed 125 grams, and the shell length is only 9.7-10 cm.

Turtle head and eyes

turtle head has a streamlined shape and medium size, which allows you to quickly hide it inside a safe haven. However, there are species with large heads that do not fit well or not at all in the shell. In some representatives of the genus, the tip of the muzzle looks like a kind of "proboscis" ending in nostrils.

Due to the peculiarities of the way of life on land, the eyes of the turtle look at the ground. In water representatives of the detachment, they are located closer to the crown and are directed forward and upward.

The neck of most turtles is short, however, in some species it can be comparable to the length of the carapace.

Do turtles have teeth? How many teeth does a turtle have?

For biting and grinding food, turtles use hard and powerful beak, the surface of which is covered with rough bulges that replace teeth. Depending on the type of food, they can be razor-sharp (in predators) or with jagged edges (in herbivores). The ancient turtles that lived 200 million years ago, unlike modern individuals, had real teeth. The tongue of turtles is short and serves only for swallowing, not for capturing food, so it does not protrude.

Limbs and tail of turtles

A turtle has 4 legs in total. The structure and functions of the limbs depend on the lifestyle of the animal. Species that live on land have flattened forelimbs adapted for digging soil, and powerful hind legs. Freshwater turtles are characterized by the presence of leathery membranes between the toes on all four paws that facilitate swimming. In sea turtles, the limbs in the process of evolution were transformed into peculiar flippers, and the size of the front ones is much larger than the back ones.

Almost all turtles have a tail, which, like the head, is hidden inside the shell. In some species, it ends in a nail-like or pointed spike.

Turtles have well-developed color vision, which helps them in finding food, and excellent hearing, which allows them to hear enemies at a considerable distance.

Turtles molt, as do many reptiles. In land species, molting affects the skin in a small amount; in aquatic turtles, molting occurs imperceptibly.

During molting, transparent shields peel off from the shell, and the skin from the paws and neck comes off in tatters.

The life expectancy of a turtle in natural conditions can reach 180-250 years. With the onset of winter cold or summer drought, turtles go into hibernation, the duration of which can exceed six months.

Due to the weakly expressed sexual characteristics of turtles, it is very difficult to determine which of the animals is a “boy” and which is a “girl”. However, if you approach the issue with care, having studied some of the external and behavioral characteristics these exotic and interesting reptiles, then finding out their gender will not seem so difficult.

• shell

In the female, it usually has a more elongated, elongated shape compared to the male.

• Plastron ( Bottom part shell)

Turn the turtle over and look at it carefully - the shell from the side of the abdomen closer to the anus in female turtles is flat, in males it is slightly concave (by the way, this nuance facilitates the mating process).

• Tail

In male turtles, the tail is slightly longer, wider and thicker at the base, most often bent down. The tail of the "ladies" is short and straight.

• anal opening (cloaca)

In females, it is somewhat closer to the tip of the tail, shaped like an asterisk or a circle compressed on the sides. In male turtles, the anus is narrow, oblong, or slit-shaped.

• claws

In almost all species, except for the leopard tortoise, the claws of males on the forelimbs are longer than those of females.

• notch at the tail

Male turtles have a V-shaped notch at the back of the shell, which is necessary for mating turtles.

• Behavior

Male turtles are most often more active, and in mating season they are distinguished by aggressiveness towards the opponent and towards the “lady of the heart”, they pursue her, trying to bite, nod their heads in a funny way. The female at this time can calmly observe the "courtship", hiding her head in the shell.

• Some species of turtles have specific differences between females and males, such as color, size, or head shape.

Types of turtles - photo and description

The turtle squad consists of two suborders, divided by the way the animal puts its head into its shell:

• Hidden neck turtles that fold their necks in the form latin letter"S";
• Side-necked turtles, hiding their heads towards one of the front paws.

According to the habitat of turtles, there is the following classification:

• Sea turtles (live in the seas and oceans)
• Land turtles (live on land or in fresh water)
  • Land turtles
  • freshwater turtles

In total, there are more than 328 species of turtles, forming 14 families.

Varieties of land turtles

• Galapagos tortoise (elephant) (Chelonoidis elephantopus)

The length of the shell of these turtles can reach 1.9 meters, and the weight of the turtle can exceed 400 kg. The size of the animal and the shape of the shell depend on the climate. In arid regions, the carapace is saddle-shaped, and the limbs of the reptile are long and thin. The weight of large males rarely exceeds 50 kg. In humid climate the shape of the dorsal shell becomes domed, and the size of the animal increases significantly. The elephant tortoise lives in the Galapagos Islands.

• Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni)

small representative of land turtles. The size of the carapace of males barely reaches 10 cm, females are slightly larger. The color of the shell of this species of turtles is brownish-yellow with a small border along the edges of the horny scutes. The Egyptian tortoise lives in northern Africa and the Middle East.

• Central Asian tortoise (Testudo (Agrionemys) horsfieldii)

a small reptile with a shell size up to 20 cm. The carapace has a rounded shape and is colored in yellowish-brown tones with darker spots of an indefinite shape. On the front limbs, these turtles have 4 fingers. The most popular type of turtle for home keeping, lives about 40-50 years. It lives in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, northeastern Iran, northwestern Pakistan and India.

• leopard turtle (panther turtle) (Geochelone pardalis)

The length of the carapace of this turtle exceeds 0.7 m, and the weight can reach 50 kg. The shell of this species of turtles is high and has a domed shape. Its coloration has sandy-yellow tones, in which the juveniles clearly show a spotted pattern of black or dark brown, which disappears as they grow older. This type of turtle lives in Africa.

• Cape spotted turtle ( Homopus Signatus)

world's smallest turtle. The length of her carapace does not exceed 10 cm, and the weight reaches 95-165 grams. Lives in South Africa and southern Namibia.

Types of freshwater turtles

• Painted turtle (decorated turtle) (Chrysemys picta)

A rather small species of turtles with individual sizes from 10 to 25 cm. The upper part of the oval dorsal shell has a smooth surface, and its color can be either olive green or black. The skin has the same color but with different stripes of red or yellow tone. They have leathery membranes between their toes. Lives in Canada and the USA.

• European bog turtle (Emys orbicularis)

The size of individuals can reach up to 35 cm, and weight 1.5 kg. The smooth, oval carapace is movably connected to the plastron and has a slightly convex shape. Representatives of this species have a very long tail (up to 20 cm). The color of the upper shell is brown or olive. The color of the skin is dark with yellow spots. The turtle lives in Europe, the Caucasus, and Asia.

• Red-eared turtle (yellow-bellied turtle) (Trachemys scripta)

The shell of these turtles can be up to 30 cm long. Its bright green coloring in young individuals eventually turns into yellow-brown or olive. Near the eyes on the head there are two spots of yellow, orange or red. This feature gave the species its name. lives in the USA, Canada, in the north-west of South America (in the north of Venezuela and Colombia).

• Cayman turtle (biting) (Chelydra serpentina)

A characteristic feature of the turtle is a cruciform plastron and a long tail, which is covered with scales with small spikes, as well as the skin of the head and neck. The size of the shell of these turtles can reach 35 cm, and the weight of an adult animal is 30 kg. Unfavourable conditions the caiman turtle is hibernating. This turtle lives in the USA and in the southeast of Canada.

Sea turtle species

• Turtle hawksbill (true carriage) (Eretmochelys imbricata)

The carapace of these turtles has the shape of a heart up to 0.9 m in size. The upper layer of the shell is painted in brown tones with a pattern in the form of multi-colored spots. In young individuals, the horny plates overlap each other like tiles, but as it grows, the overlap disappears. The front flippers of the animal are equipped with two claws. The hawksbill lives both in the latitudes of the northern hemisphere and in the southern countries.

• Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

it is the largest tortoise in the world. The span of its front flipper-like limbs reaches 2.5 meters, the mass of reptiles is more than 900 kg, and the dimensions of the shell exceed 2.6 m. The surface of the upper shell is covered not with keratinized plates, but with dense skin, for which the species got its name. The turtle lives in the tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.

• Green turtle (soup turtle) (Chelonia mydas)

The weight of the turtle ranges from 70 to 450 kg, and the size of the shell is from 80 to 150 cm. The color of the skin and carapace can be either olive or green tint, and dark brown with various spots and stripes of white or yellow. The tortoise shell has a small height and oval shape, and its surface is covered with large horny shields. Due to the large size of the head, these reptiles do not hide it inside. The green turtle lives in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.