Turtles

Turtles are reptiles that carry their homes on their backs. Their hard shells protect them from predators. Turtles have been on Earth for over 200 million years. They were here even before the dinosaurs!

Types of Turtles

There are about 360 species of turtles. Sea turtles live in the ocean and can swim thousands of miles. Box turtles live on land and eat berries and insects. Snapping turtles live in freshwater and have powerful jaws.

Slow and Steady

Turtles are known for being slow on land, but sea turtles can swim fast. A leatherback sea turtle can swim up to 22 miles per hour. Turtles can live a very long time. Some giant tortoises have lived over 150 years. They pull their head and legs into their shell for safety.

Fun Facts

• Sea turtles return to the same beach where they were born to lay eggs.
• A turtle's shell is made of over 60 bones.
• Some turtles can breathe through their rear end.

Did You Know?

The largest turtle is the leatherback sea turtle, which can weigh over 2,000 pounds. The smallest is the speckled padloper tortoise, which is only 3 inches long!