What are some characteristics of testudines?

What are some characteristics of testudines?

Physical characteristics. These reptiles are easily recognized by the presence of a dorsal bony carapace and a ventral bony plastron, with the limb girdles located inside the ribs. All living forms lack teeth, have internal fertilization, and lay shelled amniotic eggs.

What does a terrapin?

A terrapin is a turtle living in fresh or brackish water. Terrapin is an Algonquian word for turtle.

What do all testudines have in common?

Anatomy. Testudines have a unique body form; most of their body is shielded by a special bony or cartilaginous shell, called a carapace, which is developed from their ribs, as shown in Figure below. The spine and ribs are fused to bony plates beneath the skin, which interlock to form a hard shell.

Where do land turtles live?

Land turtles can be found on every continent of the world, except for Antarctica. Tortoises thrive vrom the prairies of the North American Midwest, to the savannas and grasslands of Africa, the deserts of the Middle East and the forests of Asia.

How many species are there in Testudines?

The testudines are some of the most ancient reptiles alive, with only the tuataras considered more primitive. There are approximately 300 extant species and 97 genera of testudines, split into two suborders: the Cryptodirans and the Pleurodirans.

What is a turtle’s family?

Class: Reptilia. Order: Testudines (also called Chelonia) Suborders: Cryptodira, Pleurodira. Families: 13, including Chelydridae (snapping turtles), Dermochelyidae (leatherback sea turtles), Trionychidae (soft-shelled turtles), Testudinidae (tortoises)

Is a terrapin a good pet?

Turtles and terrapins make great pets, but require very specific care. Turtles and terrapins are fascinating aquatic pets that bridge the gap between fishkeepers and reptile keepers. They are closely related to the terrestrial tortoise that lives on land, but their habits and care requirements are very different.

Is a terrapin a turtle?

terrapin, (Malaclemys terrapin), a term formerly used to refer to any aquatic turtle but now restricted largely, though not exclusively, to the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) of the turtle family Emydidae.

What is the largest species in testudines?

Size. The largest living species of turtle (and fourth-largest reptile) is the leatherback turtle which can reach over 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) in length and weigh over 500 kg (1,100 lb).

How many species are there in testudines?

What are 5 interesting facts about turtles?

Turtle Fun Facts

• Turtles live all over the world.
• Turtles and tortoises aren’t the same thing.
• Turtles are some of the oldest animals around.
• The largest turtles weigh more than a thousand pounds.
• A turtle’s shell is not an exoskeleton.
• Turtles have a second shell.
• Turtles aren’t silent.

How would you describe a turtle?

Turtles are reptiles with hard shells that protect them from predators. They are among the oldest and most primitive groups of reptiles, having evolved millions of years ago. Turtles spend most of their lives in water. They are adapted for aquatic life, with webbed feet or flippers and a streamlined body.