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Overview of Turtles and Their Biology

Turtles are reptiles characterized by a bony shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield. The order Testudines, which includes living and extinct species, is one of the oldest reptile groups dating back 157 million years, though some species are now highly endangered. While turtles are ectothermic and their temperature varies with their environment, leatherback sea turtles have a higher metabolic rate that keeps their body warmer than the surrounding water.

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41 views1 page

Overview of Turtles and Their Biology

Turtles are reptiles characterized by a bony shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield. The order Testudines, which includes living and extinct species, is one of the oldest reptile groups dating back 157 million years, though some species are now highly endangered. While turtles are ectothermic and their temperature varies with their environment, leatherback sea turtles have a higher metabolic rate that keeps their body warmer than the surrounding water.

Uploaded by

Joseph Wells
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© © All Rights Reserved
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The turtle

Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines (or Chelonii[3]) characterised by a special bony or
cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs and acting as a shield.[4] "Turtle" may refer to the order
as a whole (American English) or to fresh-water and sea-dwelling testudines (British English).[5]

The order Testudines includes both extant (living) and extinct species. The earliest known members
of this group date from 157 million years ago,[1] making turtles one of the oldest reptile groups and
a more ancient group than snakes or crocodilians. Of the 327 known species alive today, some are
highly endangered.[6][7]

Turtles are ectothermsanimals commonly called cold-bloodedmeaning that their internal


temperature varies according to the ambient environment. However, because of their high
metabolic rate, leatherback sea turtles have a body temperature that is noticeably higher than that
of the surrounding water.

Turtles are classified as amniotes, along with other reptiles, birds, and mammals. Like other
amniotes, turtles breathe air and do not lay eggs underwater, although many species live in or
around water.

Fuente: Wikipedia.

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