WHAT IS A TURTLE?

Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines (or Chelonii) characterized by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs and acting as a shield. "Turtle" may refer to the order as a whole (American English) or to fresh-water and sea-dwelling testudines (British English).

TURTLES FUN FACTS

• Turtles also have a lower shell called a ‘plastron’
• Many turtle species (not all) can hide their heads inside their shells when attacked by predators
• Turtles have existed for around 215 million years
• Like other reptiles, turtles are cold blooded
• Turtles lay eggs

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