Turtles – the most ancient of reptiles, recent on the planet. However the urbanization, wildfires and other factors of anthropogenic influence can lead to their disappearance.
1. Turtles appeared about 200 million years ago, long before snakes, lizards and crocodiles. They existed at the time of dinosaurs and endured them.
2. Initially turtles lived in swamps and were semi-water reptiles. Subsequently it allowed them to adapt quickly to life both in water, and on the land.
3. As well as other reptiles, turtles are forced to regulate constantly temperature of the body therefore in regions with a frigid climate they fall into hibernation.
4. A tortoise shell – the unique phenomenon in fauna. It consists of two parts connected among themselves. Its top part protects a back of a turtle, lower – covers a stomach. Together they represent the peculiar armor consisting approximately of 60 bones. The skin thickenings on a back covered with a thick armor are connected to edges and a backbone. In the course of evolution the tortoise shell changed depending on a way of life of a reptile. At overland representatives it became easier thanks to thinning of bones. At sea turtles an armor softer and elastic that facilitates the movement in water.
5. Because of a firm armor the turtle cannot breathe as it is done by mammals – by means of the movement of a thorax. The breath and an exhalation which are followed by change of volume of lungs are provided due to extension and reduction of the front or back extremities tied with the respiratory device special muscles. Water turtles breathe also skin, throat walls and also through the webby anal bags opening in a foul place.
6. Mouth at a turtle too special: there are no teeth in it, instead of them – the pointed horn plates therefore the mouth partly reminds a bird's beak.
7. The majority of species of turtles live in water, generally in the sea, but also and in fresh reservoirs.
8. Overland turtles in one hour overcome no more than several hundred meters. And here sea representatives move much quicker thanks to the lastovidny front extremities. So, the speed of a huge leathery turtle reaches 36 km/h.
9. Improbable sluggishness overland skulls also explains the high duration of their life. They live more than 100 years, and sea is almost twice less.
10. The smallest turtles do not exceed 10-12 cm in length. A striking example – land cape speckled or krasnoukhy turtles. Their huge relative lives on Galapagos Islands and reaches in length of 1.4 m. The leathery turtle who is capable to reach length of 2 m and weight almost under ton is considered the champion. Large types grow during all life, and growth of small stops later certain time.