Turtles
One of the most beloved, and interesting creatures on Earth is the turtle. Well-known for being slow, relaxed and leisurely, the turtle is an amazing creature that entices many individuals to take them on as pets.
Turtles came into being in the Early Triassic Period, roughly 200 million years ago, and they are believed to be the only surviving branch of the ancient Anapsida. The early known turtle is the proganochelys, which lacked the ability to put its head into its shell, and had a long and spiked tail that ended in a club. That ancestor was roughly one meter in length.
Their Physiology
The size of turtles vary, from the massive leatherback sea turtle that can weight up to 2,000 pounds, to freshwater turtles athat are often much smaller, in some cases reaching only 80 inches.
Turtles are well-known for having large shells, legs that go out to the side, and heads with strong jaws that are capable of taking off a finger, or more, depending on the size of the turtle.
Turtles are a reptile, and spend a great deal of time underwater where they are quite adapted to swimming. All turtles breathe air and can hold their breath for long periods of time while under water.
As well, turtles lay eggs that are soft and leathery and the temperature of the eggs will determine if it becomes a male or a female, with higher temperatures resulting in a female and lower temperatures resulting in a male. Typically, large numbers of the eggs will be put in holes dug into the mud or sand, and then covered and left so they are able to incubate themselves.
When turtles hatch, they make their way to the water to begin their lives, without any help from their mothers, who have long since disappeared.
Unlike many other animals, the organs of the turtle do not break down overtime, and in fact a turtle who is over 100 years old will have organs that are the same as their young counterpart, with little degrading. As a result, turtles can live for a very long period of time, past 200 years in some cases.
Currently, genetic researchers are looking at the turtle genome as a way of discovering if there is a longevity gene that could increase the lifespan of humans.
Turtle Pets
Turtles, specifically small land and freshwater turtles, are kept as pets by humans, including Russian Tortoises, Greek spur-thighed tortoises and red-ear sliders.
Conclusion
Turtles are one of the most interesting types of creatures in the world, becoming symbols of the dinosaurs since they have survived for 200 million years. As well, they inspire awe in us in the fact that they can live for over 100 years on many occasions. The turtle, is truly an animal that has become a favorite among the human race.