Marib U.

All About Turtles

Have you ever thought why turtles are so cool? Maybe they are cool because they have a shell and they can retract their head into their shell as well. They can also live in water and land. It is amazing that they can live longer than their owner.  They have a long lifespan reaching almost 150 years. You will learn all about these cool turtles here.

Have you ever thought about a  turtle’s appearance? Turtles have many unique features. Some turtles have spikes on their shells. When dinosaurs were alive, turtles were as big as a fully grown human. That is big for a turtle. Even today there do exist big turtles on the Galapagos Islands. Also, they were almost extinct and there were 10 left, but scientist took them into captivity and they reproduced up to 1,500 giant turtles. Some turtles are ground turtles and have a harder shell so it’s harder for predators to get into the shell, but the soft shell turtle has a very soft shell and it lives in the water. Did you know that some turtles’ shells are big enough to hold a 5 year old child? The shell is the most important part of the turtle; the shell is tough like metal and it protects them from predators. One type of turtle has coral on its back so predators don't go for them because they blend in with the other coral and it is good camouflage. When the predators try to bite the turtle, they can't because the shell is so strong. Predators can't harm them as sea turtles use their shell as a shield. The top of the shell is called a carapace, and the bottom is called a plastron. The scales of a turtle are called scutes. They are also really tough.  Even if they are tiny, it doesn't mean they are weak. They are tough and tiny! This helps them if there are any ground predators.

It is interesting to note that a turtle’s diet is quite varied. Some turtles have special features to help them hunt. Some turtles have webbed feet to swim easier or they have flippers. Turtles eat many different things.  Some eat fish that are very big. The snapping turtle uses a very strong mouth to crack bones to ensure dinner. Some turtles eat berries, but if you have a turtle you should know what turtle you have so you know what exactly they eat. They also eat lettuce, carrots, apples, and cabbage. Turtles also wait for a fish to swim by and then the turtle goes for it.

Experts agree that turtles live in many unique places. Some turtles live in the swamp. Every turtle has a different habitat; a habitat is the home of an animal. For example, deer live in the forest and sharks live in the ocean. Some turtles live in ponds and the water helps them to cool off on hot summer days.  Also, when it gets too cold, they sun bathe on a rock. Turtles that live in the ocean have flippers. These flippers have helped the sea turtles adapt to their habitat. Soft shell turtles also live in the ocean and they enjoy eating jelly fish. However, the sharks enjoy eating the turtles as it’s the predator.

The sun’s rays reflect on the patterned shell of the turtle, but the turtle has its eyes on a tasty salmon swimming nearby. Splash, the turtle goes in, he is getting closer to the fish and then with one large snap, dinner is served. The bone crushing mouthful is tasty. The webbed feet of the turtle then help the turtle swim away from any predators that may be lurking in the pond. The turtle is not satisfied with the salmon and goes in search for some veggies to fulfil its appetite. The turtle then sees some berries and goes to get them but catches a glimpse of a fox. He gasps, then he quickly goes into his shell. When he sees it’s clear, he safely goes home to its pond, through the murky water,  and climbs on top of a shady rock. He looks out to the forest and looks at the pine trees and the birds in their nests. He smiles and then slowly retracts his head into his shell and goes to sleep.