8 Different Species Of Turtles
Chelonians belong to the reptile class and are characterized by having a hard shell that protects their vital organs. Only the head, legs and tail are clearly visible. Would you like to know what are the main species of turtles? In this article we show some of the main ones.
What species of turtles are there?
Turtles are oviparous and hatch their eggs in land or sand. There are different species of turtles according to their class of food : herbivores, carnivores and omnivores. Some are marine and some are terrestrial.
1. Mediterranean tortoise
It lives in European countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. The female is larger than the male and it is a very long-lived species, reaching 110 years .
It has daytime habits, hibernates during the winter, has excellent eyesight, can lay eggs twice a year, and is even able to recognize people. It is also an ectothermic species , as it needs to be exposed to the sun to heat its body and thus speed up its metabolic functions .
2. Red-eared turtle
Its scientific name is Trachemys Scripta Elegans and lives mostly in areas near the Mississippi River in the United States, although it can live on both water and land.
Many people choose it as a pet and can measure up to 30 centimeters, with females being larger than males. Furthermore, its body is dark green with yellow spots, while the sides of the head have red spots, hence its name .
3. Leatherback turtle (Giant turtle)
It is the largest of all species of sea turtles, measuring up to two meters and weighing 600 kilos. . Its front legs are longer than any other turtle. Males never leave the water and females go ashore to lay up to 100 eggs at the same time.
It lives in tropical and subtropical seas, where feeds on jellyfish, which it swallows thanks to the special structures in the throat . One of the main deadly enemies of leather turtles is the pollution of the sea, as this beautiful animal mistakes plastic bags for jellyfish and ends up suffocated when swallowing them.
According to some scientists, turtles have the ability to generate body heat on their own, even though they are cold – blooded reptiles. .
4. Russian turtle
This species lives in a large territory composed not only of Russia, but also of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Females measure 22 centimeters and males 18 centimeters, and can live up to 50 years in the wild.
As for aesthetics, it has a rounded carapace and four nails on each leg, instead of the five that the rest of the turtles have. It cannot withstand temperatures above 28 ° C and usually bury itself to cool off .
5. Yellow-eared turtle
It is found in Mexico and the United States, in tropical and subtropical seas. Its name refers to the yellow stripes on the sides of the head. It’s big , weighing about 200 kilos, and can measure up to 30 centimeters in length.
In nature, it can become invasive and it is usually chosen as a pet for the simplicity of care , as it eats everything: it is omnivorous . In addition, he likes to walk in the sun and prefers calm waters or with muddy bottoms.
This turtle is at risk of extinction due to hunting and pollution of the seas. . In their migration, they must travel at least 2,600 kilometers to lay their eggs on the beach: females always return to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs.
The offspring are born after 75 days, at night, and run to the sea to avoid falling prey to predators. .
7. Cumberland Turtle
This turtle thrives in the United States, specifically in Tennessee and Kentucky. Its carapace is green with yellow and black spots, measures up to 21 centimeters in length and prefers warm temperatures (25-30°C). They always need to be in sunlight and feed on algae, tadpoles, fish and crayfish .
8. Hawksbill Turtle
The last of the turtle species on this list is also in endangered . It resembles other sea turtles; its fins are flat for swimming, have a pointed beak and live near coral reefs, where they feed on sea sponges. It is born every two or four years, always between April and November .
