Turtles and Tortoises

Turtles are the oldest living reptile. They have no teeth, but they have sharp jaws to cut food. They can live on the land or in the water. Although all turtles come to lay their eggs on the land. If they live on land then they are called a tortoise.


Skeleton. The ribs of a turtle are attached to his shell. This prevents the pumping action of the ribs that usually circulates the oxygen. So in a turtle they use their legs to pump the oxygen in and out.

Matamata. These turtles seek out their prey. They have good camouflage. They have a triangular head, large eardrums, and snorkel-like nose. Their nose lets them breath without coming out of the water.

Alligator Snapping Turtle. They are the largest fresh water turtle. They grow to be 220 pounds. They live in the Louisiana area of the United States. They also hunt by waiting for their prey. They have a pink structure, like a tongue, that dangles in their open mouths. This attracts fish like a lure toward them. And then SNAP they have themselves a nice lunch!

Indian Star Tortoise. They have star-shaped markings and bumps on their shells. They need lots of water. They are most active during the rainy season. During the dry season they only come out in the morning or late afternoon.

Galapagos Tortoise. This is the largest living tortoise. It has a huge shell, big limbs and a long neck. They graze in small herds. They can grow up to four feet long. They can live for a hundred years.