*Top 15* Amazing Turtle Facts! - Mama Kims Animal Rescue

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Turtles are hard shelled, egg laying reptiles that have been on earth for an astonishing 230 million years! They live on every continent except Antartica. The 200 turtle species fall into 3 categories: 1) Turtles – Live in water only 2) Tortoises – Live on land only 3) Terrapins – Live in water and on land.

Read on to learn more Turtle facts!

Turtles have been on Earth for 250 million years

1) Turtles are Reptiles

Turtles are reptiles, which means that they are cold blooded, egg laying animals that are completely covered in scales. In addition, they are hard shelled, breathe air, and do not lay eggs underwater.

2) Turtles have been on Earth as long as Dinosaurs!

As incredible as it sounds, turtles have been on earth for over 230 million years! That means that they once lived among the dinosaurs, which are now extinct.

Turtles lived at the same time as Dinosaurs!

3) There are 360 Turtle Species

There are 360 turtle species. They live on every continent except for Antarctica. In addition, Turtles fall into two main groups – side necked and hidden necked.

4) There are 3 Main Categories of Turtles – Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins

Turtles live in Water only, so they have streamlined shells and webbed feet. Further, Sea Turtles spend most of their life in the ocean so they are the only turtle species that have true flippers.

In contrast, Tortoises live on Land only, so they domed shells which are not adept for swimming. And flat feet with claws, which are adept for walking on land.

Terrapins live on both water and land, so they have webbed feet.

Pond turtle with black shell with yellow spots and webbed feet climbing out of the water — A pond turtle with webbed feet for swimming

Check out my *Top 10* Amazing Tortoise Facts blog!

5) Turtles live in Water only

Turtles are a species of turtle (as strange as that sounds!) that spend most of their time in water. (Either fresh or salt water).

They are air breathing. So they can hold their breath for long periods of time under water, but have to come up to take a breath of air.

Turtles have thin, streamlined shells and webbed feet that are adept for aquatic life. Since their shells are streamlined (meaning flat and close to their bodies), turtles are not able to retract their face and limbs inside their shell like tortoises do.

6) Freshwater Turtles live in Ponds and Lakes

Freshwater turtles live in ponds and lakes. They only climb out of the water for short periods of time, to bask in the sun on logs or rocks.

Female freshwater turtles dig holes on land to bury their eggs. After the eggs hatch, the baby turtles return to the water.

Small green freshwater turtle swimming in a green lake — A freshwater turtle swimming in a lake

7) Sea Turtles live in the Ocean

Sea turtles live in the ocean. Male sea turtles never leave the ocean. Female sea turtles only leave the ocean to lay eggs. They climb up the beach and lay eggs in the sand; then immediately return to the water.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that sea turtles are the only turtle species that have true flippers, which aid exponentially with swimming.

A sea turle with flippers — Sea Turtles are the only turtle species that have flippers

Check out my *Top 20* Amazing Sea Turtle Facts blog!

8) Tortoises live on Land Only

Tortoises are a turtle species that live on land only. They have round, domed shells which are not adept for swimming.

And they have flat feet with claws, which are adept for walking on land. (In contrast, all other turtle species have webbed feet for swimming).

Tortoises eat shrubs and grasses, and dig underground tunnels to stay cool in the day and warm at night.

Giant tortoises are a species of land tortoise. The 3 largest species are Galagapos, Aldabra, and Sulcata. They can grow up to 900 pounds!

An Aldabra tortoise with a large, dome shaped shell eating vegetables — Tortoises have large, dome shaped shells that are not adept for swimming

9) Terrapins live on Land and in Water

Terrapins are a turtle species that live on land and in water. They have webbed feet and reside in brackish swamps, ponds, lakes, and rivers.

A mother terrapin with 3 babies climbing a branch — Terrapins live on land and in water and have webbed feet adept for swimming

10) A Turtle’s Shell is its Skeleton

Turtles have hard shells that protect them from predators. Contrary to popular believe, turtles cannot take their shells off – they are completely attached.

A turtle’s shell is it’s skeleton. It consists of 40 bones; including a collar bone, spine, and rib cage.

A small pond turtle climbing a log — A pond turtle climbing a log

Check out my The Turtle Hospital – Florida Keys blog!

11) Turtle Shells are covered in Scutes

All reptiles are covered in scales, and turtles are no exception. The outer surface of a turtle’s shell is covered in scales, which are called scutes. They protect the bony plates of the shell from injury and infection.

Scutes are made out of keratin, which is the same material that human hair and finger nails are made of. Amazingly, the growth rings around a turtle’s scutes can be used to determine the turtle’s age!

A medium size tortoise with a beautiful sand colored shell covered in shutes (scales) that are made out keratin — You can determine a turtle’s age by looking at the growth rings on its shell

Final Thoughts

Turtles are among the oldest and most fascinating creatures on Earth. These quiet survivors have seen the rise and fall of dinosaurs, continents, and civilizations. Each time we spot a turtle basking in the sun or gliding through water, we are witnessing millions of years of evolution at work. Their unique shells, calm nature, and incredible adaptability make them true living fossils.