10 totally awesome facts about turtles!
Check out these turt-ally mad facts about turtles!
Here at Nat Geo Kids we’re turtally mad about turtles, that’s why we’ve put together these ten terrific turtle facts!
These magnificent creatures come in all shapes and sizes and live in a number of different environments. They all belong to a group of reptiles called Testudines, which includes turtles, tortoises and terrapins.
From giant, slow-moving land-dwelling tortoises and snappy terrapins basking in their fresh-water lagoons, to the graceful strokes of a sea turtle gliding through our oceans – check out our ten totally awesome turtle facts, below!
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Turtle facts
1. Turtles belong to one of the oldest reptile groups in the world – beating snakes, crocodiles and alligators!
2. These creatures date back to the time of the dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago – woah!
3. Turtles are easily recognised by their bony, cartilaginous shell. This super-tough casing acts like a shield to protect them from predators – some turtles can even tuck their head up inside their shell for extra protection!
4. Just like your bones, a turtle’s shell is actually part of its skeleton. It’s made up of over 50 bones which include the turtle’s rib cage and spine.
Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable sea turtle primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!
5. Contrary to popular belief, a turtle cannot come out of its shell. The turtle’s shell grows with them, so it’s impossible for them to grow too big for it!
6. What a turtle eats depends on the environment it lives in. Land-dwelling turtles will munch on beetles, fruit and grass, whereas sea dwellers will gobble everything from algae to squid and jellyfish.
7. Some turtles are carnivores (meat eaters), others are herbivores (plant eaters) and some are omnivores (a mixture of the two!). Many baby turtles start life as carnivores but grow to eat more plants as they mature.
8. Turtles are ‘amniotes’ – they breathe air and lay their eggs on land, although many species live in or around water.
9. These cold-blooded creatures have an incredibly long life span. The oldest ever recorded, named Tu”i Malila, of Tonga Island, passed away at the grand old age of 188!
10. Sadly, many species of turtle are endangered! 129 of approximately 300 species of turtle and tortoise on Earth today are either vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, according to the IUCN. Threats include loss of habitat, pollution, poaching and the illegal pet trade.
Do you turt-ally love turtles? Then get to know some awesome species with our great green turtle facts, swimmingly good loggerhead turtle facts AND fab leatherback turtle facts.
What do you think of our turtle facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!
Images â“’ Getty Images: Turtle in water, (636749403) . Turtle on sand, (558962897) Turtle swimming, (502266246) . Baby turtle, (127834157)
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Awesome!
it is sad they are in danger.
thanks for these intresting facts
This really helped me learn about turtles and gave me loads of interesting facts! Thanks National Geographic
COOL!!!!!!!
COOL!
this was helpful and AMAZING
LETS GO
AMAZING. It relly helped on my reseach
Wow
WOW!
WOW!
LET'S TAKE ACTION TO SAVE THE SEA TURTLES
Save the turtles sksksksksksk
I love turtles!!
Save the sea turtles!
Don't let them get hurt! I love them to much! Help them PLEASE!
I realy loved these 10 facts they helped me so much! but I am sad some turtles are indangerd
ALL TURTLES R AMAZING!!!
So useful for my homework!!!
cute
sea turtles are so cool
Cant wait
WOW
amazing!
This has really inspired me to help all sea life creatures. Well done for making this. :)
im using this for reshearch thank you
I WUV SEA TURTLE
I LOVE SEA TURTLES
Let's take action and save the turtles because I like turtle they are the best
important
CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow
this is great
GOOD FAST FACTS
Wow lol
wow
Wow
sooooo cute
I LOVE TURTLES
Cool
Great turtle facts!
Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow