Turtles prefer the water and have thicker, rounder shells than tortoises, which are land-based. Turtles have smaller legs and webbed feet.
Primitive turtle fossils discovered in China in 2008 are 210 million years older than the earliest fully completed shell. There are now a huge variety of turtles.
The 60+ fused bones that make up a turtle's shell are affixed to the spinal column and cannot be separated. Certain animals, like several species of snapping turtles, can retreat to hide.
The insects, fish, crustaceans, and water plants that inhabit their ecosystem determine the food of turtles. Herbivorous tortoises eat fruits and vegetables.
Between their nesting and feeding grounds, leatherback sea turtles can travel up to 10,000 miles annually, and they are capable of diving to depths of 4,000 feet.
Because to their high mortality rate—only 1 in 1,000 grow to adulthood—sea turtles produce many clutches annually and lay over 100 eggs at a time.
Turtles don't have apparent ears, but they can hear. Internal ear bones allow them to detect vibrations. Ear infections may result from poor nutrition or cleanliness.
Gender is not determined at fertilisation for turtles. Temperatures below 81.86°F indicate a man, while above 87.8°F indicate a woman. Between is a genderless term.