Reptiles belong to the category of the oldest inhabitants of the planet.Modern scientists can tell a lot about the life of the turtles.In the field of view are species that inhabit the waters and the dry land Earth today, as well as the ancestors of these animals.
Prehistoric types
Among the descriptions of the ancient species of turtles are the most common ones that inhabited the Earth has 220 million years ago.Also known extinct species living on the planet at a later date.Their distinguishing feature is that the tortoise was only in the lower part of the body.In prehistoric animals had teeth, modern species, they are absent.
impressive and sizes of reptiles.Scientists have found that the biggest turtle ever existed on Earth, presumably had a size of about two meters in diameter, and its weight was more than two tons.These established scientists found through the skeleton of the ancient turtle.This turtle ancestor was given the name archelon.
size and habitat of modern species of turtles
Today, among all members of the class is the biggest turtle - a leathery.The size of its shell diameter can reach two meters or more.It inhabits a giant beast in the seas.
among tortoises elephant is the largest dimensions.Its size may be one meter in diameter and weigh up to 600 kilograms of reach and more.
eared turtle is the smallest size, they reach only ten centimeters.
most diverse habitat.Turtles have adapted to life in a variety of conditions.From the place of residence of the animal depends on its food cravings.Food can be a vegetable and animal origin.
Carapace
Listing the interesting facts about the turtles, we can not pay attention to this feature of the structure of the animal, as the shell.This armor is a reliable protection in many adverse situations, as the shell is able to withstand the weight of more than the mass of the reptiles two hundred times.It was learned that the turtle shell is penetrated by nerve endings, so that the animal can respond to changes in the environment.
In moments of danger tortoise draws his head and limbs, as a result, they are covered with armor.Rarely any predator manages to get to hide in a shelter animal.
Lifetime
Turtle can rightly be considered a group of centenarians planet.There are cases when the life expectancy of individuals was 250 years old.Most of the turtles in the wild live in a little over a hundred years old - the age is also very impressive.
To find out how old the turtle, you need to carefully look at her shell.The concentric arrangement of the rings on the label indicates the number of years lived animals.A method of determining the age of the turtle is similar to that used to determine the years lived woody plants - on the annual rings on the trunk.
Moving turtles
Listing the interesting facts about turtles, be sure to tell about the ability of these animals to the movement on land and in water.It is believed that the turtle is very slow.But this does not always happen.The speed of movement depends on the ambient temperature.In the cold season animals are moved slowly, and in hot weather, the speed increases and can reach 15 kilometers per hour.In water turtles reach speeds of up to thirty-five kilometers per hour.
slowness of animals is also connected with the peculiarities of the structure of their bodies.Short limbs and massive tortoise do not let it creep at high speed.These animals are the embodiment of the slowness and clumsiness.But we should admit that to a greater extent, these characteristics refer to the types of land.
Interesting facts about turtles
The literature contains many surprising facts from the life of the turtles.For example, some species that live in ponds, are able to hold your breath for ten hours.This is a record for the group of vertebrates.
among representatives of different species of turtles are animals with aggressive habits.Chelydridae can watch for waterfowl, snakes.There have been cases of attacks on humans.The victim of the pack of hungry reptiles can become large-sized animal.
World turtles unusually diverse.There are species that are capable of for a long time without food.For example, a Galápagos tortoise can fast for eighteen months.
Reptiles inhabit all continents of the Earth.Not only tortoise found in Antarctica.For all types of reproduction requires warm environment.Published interesting facts about the turtles always contain material that tells about the behavior of animals during breeding.During this period, they are able to make transitions across vast distances.Similarly behave and young reptiles.
Turtles are well tamed and live next to a man.It is known that these animals may well distinguish between the faces of the people who care for them.This image of a man perceived visually, and not on a chemical level.Moreover, turtles are distinguished tone of the human voice.At a quiet, gentle sound of a turtle pulls its head and listen to the sounds.With a shout, a sudden loud sound or voice, turtle head under the shell draw.
Some species are excellent divers.Cases of animal penetration to a depth of about 1,200 meters.We visited the turtle and in space.Selection of scholars was based on the fact that these animals can be a long time without food, use a small amount of breathing oxygen under adverse conditions hibernate.
Protection of Animals
greatest harm turtles in the history of their existence on Earth was caused by man.There are times when the animals were destroyed en masse for meat, shell, or other body parts.The Mariners, going sailing, taking aboard dozens of live turtles.Animals do not require special care and feeding, and if necessary, served as a source of dietary meat.
To prepare some recipes of traditional medicine needs of the body of turtles or their metabolic products.This circumstance also caused the unauthorized capture of animals that, in turn, negatively affected the population.
Predatory man's relation to reptiles has led not only to a reduction in their number, but also the threat of extinction of animals.It took immediate measures to avoid the disappearance of many species.Currently, there is the danger of the disappearance of half of all species of turtles living in the world.
