This reptile is considered to be one of the most interesting and ancient. Scientists studying the fossilized remains determined that the first reptile turtles appeared about 250 million years ago. Since ancient times, they lived both in the waters of s alty oceans and on the surface of the Earth.
In this article we will look at how many species of turtles exist on our planet, what is their habitat and how long these reptiles can live.
Lifespan
There is an opinion that a turtle can live 300 years. However, it is not. Among these animals, there really are centenarians, but the average life expectancy can reach a maximum of 250 years. So, for example, the oldest living turtle in the world, whose name is Jonathan, supposedly lived in the time of Napoleon. It is noteworthy that this animal lives on the island of St. Helena, where Bonaparte was exiled. Enthusiasts suggest that she personally could see the former French emperor when he was walking along the coast.
Mostly the lifespan of these reptiles depends on their speciesand size. The larger the turtle, the longer it can live. It is noteworthy that captivity often prolongs their life, but can also shorten it. It all depends on the correct care.
Variety of turtles
Today, 328 species of these animals are reliably known, which, in turn, are united in fourteen families. Also, the detachment of turtles is divided into two detachments. This division is due to the way the head is pulled into the shell:
- hidden neck turtles - reptiles that lay their neck in the form of the English letter S;
- side-neck - remove the head towards one of the front limbs.
In addition to dividing into groups on this basis, turtles are also classified according to their habitats. Today there are the following classes:
- Sea turtles are reptiles that live in s alt water;
- Terrestrial - animals that live in fresh water and on land. This class of turtles, in turn, is divided into two subspecies. The first is land. The habitat of turtles of this variety is dry land. The second is freshwater. They are aquatic animals, but live only in rivers, lakes, where the water is not s alty. It is noteworthy that this species does make landfall, but only for a short time.
Sea turtles
Marine species of these animals live exclusively in s alt waters. These reptiles are found in the waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. In addition, they live almostin all tropical seas. The turtle is a reptile that loves warm waters and therefore never visits northern latitudes.
Sea turtles have hardly changed in millions of years. They are extremely clumsy on land, but very graceful and fast in the water. This is due to the developed forelimbs. In shape, they resemble flippers. Sea turtles are among the largest on the planet. The weight of some species can reach one ton. Scientists are still wondering how long sea turtles live. The thing is that the age of some of the studied individuals reached 250 years. However, scientists have not yet been able to find out the maximum possible life expectancy of these reptiles.
Today, there are many varieties of sea turtles. The most popular are:
- green;
- skinny;
- loggerhead;
- ridley;
- Bissa turtle.
An interesting fact, not fully understood by scientists, is the ability of sea turtles to navigate. These reptiles are perfectly oriented in the waters of the ocean and remember the place of their birth for many years.
Terrestrial and terrestrial species
Terrestrial turtles are one of the largest groups of these animals. It has about 30 genera and 85 varieties.
Reptiles of this group are widespread in hot and temperate zones. The exception is Australia. These reptiles do not live there. They are found on the territory of Russia, the Mediterranean, Asia and the Balkanpeninsula.
Terrestrial turtles are herbivorous reptiles. They feed mainly on grass and other green vegetation. The most famous representatives of this group are:
- Galapagos;
- elastic;
- steppe;
- wooden;
- ivory.
The family of land turtles is the smallest group. It includes 12 genera and about 35 species. Among them there are both small ones, the size of which does not exceed 12 centimeters, and huge meter-long varieties. The largest live only in the Seychelles and Galapagos Islands.
The hallmark of tortoises is their longevity. Some species can live up to 150-200 years. The diet of these reptiles is vegetable, but it may also include some animal food.
The most famous species of land turtles:
- Balkan;
- panther;
- radiant;
- Egyptian;
- Mediterranean.
Freshwater turtles
This is the most numerous family. It includes 31 genera and more than 80 species of turtles. Such reptiles are predominantly small in size. The forelimbs of these reptiles are developed, as in marine ones. The difference lies in the fact that they are equipped with membranes, have claws, and the paws of reptiles that live in the s alty oceans are full-fledged flippers.
Freshwater turtles, unlike other classes, are more widespread. They canmeet in Europe, Asia, in both parts of America and Africa. The most famous species of freshwater turtles are the following:
- marsh;
- red-eared;
- side-neck;
- soft bodied.
