In some species, there is temperature-dependent sex determination. Turtles can take many years to reach breeding age, and in many cases breed every few years rather than annually. Sea turtles lay their eggs on dry, sandy beaches. The eggs of the largest species are spherical, while the eggs of the rest are more shaped like chicken eggs. Like other reptiles, turtles lay eggs which are slightly soft and leathery. Turtles usually lay their eggs on beaches Unfortunately, Chelonia is also the name of a particular genus of turtles, so this conflicts with its use for the entire order Testudines.Įcology and life history To avoid confusion, the word "chelonian" is popular among some who work with these animals, as a catch-all name. Australian English uses turtle for both the marine and freshwater species, but tortoise for the terrestrial species.The name "terrapin" is not as commonly heard. "Tortoise" is used for most land-dwelling species, and oceanic species are usually referred to as sea turtles. American English tends to use the word turtle as a general term for all species.British English describes these reptiles as turtles if they live in the sea terrapins if they live in fresh water or tortoises if they live on land.How these names are used depends on the type of English. Turtle, tortoise, or terrapin Īlthough the word turtle is widely used to describe all members of the order Testudines, it is also common to see certain members described as terrapins, tortoises or sea turtles, as well. A lot of the turtle species alive today are endangered. Turtles are almost everywhere in the world. Turtles come from ancient turtles, which had spiked shells. Turtles are definitely related to dinosaurs. Turtles have been on earth for longer than lizards, snakes and crocodiles. Turtles are one of the oldest reptile groups that are not extinct. The fossil was from about 220 million years ago. The earliest fossil of a turtle was found in China from the early Upper Triassic age.
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The order Testudines (which includes turtles) includes both living and extinct species. Side-necked turtles have very easy to see necks, but hidden neck turtles have very small necks. There are two types of turtles, the side-necked turtles and the hidden neck turtles. Turtles are a type of reptile with hard shells on their back.