Turtle - Wikipedia
Turtles (order Testudines) are reptiles characterized by a special shell developed mainly from their ribs. Modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the Pleurodira (side necked turtles) and Cryptodira …
Turtle | Species, Classification, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 11, 2025 · turtle, (order Testudines), any reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises. Although numerous animals, from invertebrates to mammals, have evolved shells, none …
Turtles and tortoises represent the oldest living group of reptiles on earth. Reptiles are a class of animals that includes crocodiles and alligators, tuatara, lizards, amphisbaenians, and snakes. Turtles are …
Turtle facts | Amphibians & Reptiles | BBC Earth
Jul 16, 2025 · From tiny, swamp-dwelling species to gentle tortoise giants, these tough reptiles are some of the longest-lived animals on Earth. Turtles are unique because they are the only vertebrates with a …
Turtle - Types, Size, Anatomy, Habitat, Lifespan, & Pictures
Sep 3, 2025 · Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines with a characteristic bony shell. They are slow-moving, air-breathing animals that are opportunistic feeders, seeking almost sedentary creatures and …
Turtles Animal Facts - A-Z Animals
May 27, 2024 · Turtles are a broad group of animals, and they’ve existed on this earth for quite some time. There are over 300 different species, and each one has unique facts about its behaviors, diets, …
Turtle and Tortoise - San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants
ABOUT Turtle, tortoise, and terrapin: what's the difference? All turtles, tortoises, and terrapins are reptiles. Scientists often refer to them as chelonians, because they are in the taxonomic order called …
Turtles of Missouri - Washington University in St. Louis
Jan 6, 2020 · Turtles and tortoises form the oldest living group of reptiles on earth; fossil evidence suggests that turtles were alive during the Triassic Period, which was over 200 million years ago.
Turtle - New World Encyclopedia
Turtle is any aquatic or terrestrial reptile of the order Testudines (or Chelonia), characterized by toothless jaws with horny beaks and generally having a body shielded by a special bony or …
Turtle - Adaptations, Habitats, Lifespan | Britannica
Dec 11, 2025 · Turtles have adapted to a remarkable variety of environments, but the greatest number of species occur in southeastern North America and South Asia. In both areas, most species are …