Turtles are diapsids of the order Testudines (or Chelonii) characterized by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs and acting as a shield. "Turtle" may refer to the order as a whole (American English) or to fresh-water and sea-dwelling testudines (British English). The order Testudines includes both extant (living) and extinct species. The earliest known members of this group date from the Middle Jurassic, making turtles one of the oldest reptile groups and a more ancient group than snakes or crocodilians. Of the 356 known species alive today, some are highly endangered. Turtles are ectotherms—animals commonly called cold-blooded—meaning 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. The study of turtles is called cheloniology, after the Greek word for turtle. It is also sometimes called testudinology, after the Latin name for turtles. Learn more about Turtle
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Turtle Species Videos
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Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status |
African Softshell Turtle (31 videos) | Trionyx triunguis | Vulnerable |
Asian Giant Softshell Turtle (11 videos) | Pelochelys cantorii | Not Available |
Blanding's Turtle (14 videos) | Emydoidea blandingii | Endangered |
Common Box Turtle (2 videos) | Terrapene carolina | Not Available |
Florida Softshell Turtle (18 videos) | Apalone ferox | Not Available |
Helmeted Turtle (2 videos) | Pelomedusa subrufa | Not Available |
Northern Yellow-faced Turtle (2 videos) | Emydura tanybaraga | Not Available |
Painted Turtle (110 videos) | Chrysemys picta | Not Available |
Pig-nosed Turtle (1 videos) | Carettochelys insculpta | Endangered |
River Cooter (37 videos) | Pseudemys concinna | Not Available |
Slider Turtle (52 videos) | Trachemys scripta | Not Available |
Snapping Turtle (138 videos) | Chelydra serpentina | Not Available |
Southeast Asian Box Turtle (1 videos) | Cuora amboinensis | Endangered |
Western Pond Turtle (9 videos) | Actinemys marmorata | Not Available |
Wood Turtle (1 videos) | Glyptemys insculpta | Not Available |