There are many turtle facts that might fascinate you,
especially if you have never really taken the time to know more about turtles. Turtles
are interesting reptiles that have withstood the test of time, as they have
been around for more than 200 million years, evolving before birds, crocodiles, lizards, mammals,
and snakes.
Here are a few interesting
turtle facts:
· The Latin word for tortoise, which is testudo, was
also a name given to a technique used by Roman soldiers during warfare. The
soldiers would huddle together and hold
their shields above their heads to form a protective dome. This allowed them
to approach the enemy and keep safe from the arrows, spears, and stones hurled
at them.
· The oldest known tortoise is reported to have been
from Madagascar. It was at least 188 years old before it died in
1965. It was given to the Tonga royal family by Captain Cook in 1773
or 1777.
· The turtle's upper shell is called a carapace, and
it is composed of about 60 bones. This includes bony skin plates, modified ribs, and vertebrae. The
lower shell, called the plastron, has evolved from the turtle's clavicles or collarbones,
and the ribs. Joining the carapace and the plastron is a bony structure called
the bridge.
· Turtles and tortoises do not have teeth; instead,
their upper and lower jaws are covered by horny ridges. They also have rigid
beaks and jaws that they use to cut and chew their food. They
use their tongues to swallow food, but they can't stick out their tongues to
catch insects.
· Another of the
many interesting turtle facts is that turtles can be found in every continent except
on Antarctica.
· Turtles have a high-developed sense of sight and smell. Even their shells contain
nerve endings.
· Aquatic turtles absorb oxygen through their
neck and cloacal area, which allow them to remain underwater for extended periods and
for hibernation.
· The earliest turtles could not retract their heads, but they did
have teeth.
· Sizes and weight
of turtles range from 4 inches like bog turtles and 1500 pounds like the
leatherback turtle.
· Some species of turtle have five toes on each limb. Others have four or
three only.
· Tortoises and turtles have short,
sturdy feet. They move slowly because of the weight of their shell and their
bent legs.
· Popular turtles kept as pets are Greek spur-thighed tortoises, red eared sliders, and
Russian tortoises.
· Australian English refers to turtles as marine and freshwater species,
and tortoises for terrestrial species. British English uses turtle if they live in
the sea, terrapins if they live in fresh water, and tortoises if they live
on land.
· Turtles are known as symbols of longevity. The organs of turtles do
not break down or become less efficient as time passes. The liver, lungs,
and kidneys of a centenarian turtle have been found to be indistinguishable from its
immature counterparts.
Aside from the mentioned information, there are many more
turtle facts that are not listed here.
