That's Not My Turtle...

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Tortoises are curious by nature and can be tempted by brightly coloured or strong-smelling fruit. For a sulky tortoise, red watermelon is my go-to, though it is high in sugar and should not be given too often. If there’s only one pair of scales between the eyes and the nose, it’s likely a green sea turtle ( Chelonia mydas). Unlike its close relative, green sea turtles don’t have hooked beaks. Step Three: Further Identification Here at Nat Geo Kids we’re turtally mad about turtles, that’s why we’ve put together these ten terrific turtle facts!

Turtles with blunt, toeless flippers are sea turtles. Some sea turtles have claws on their flippers! Scroll down to “Identifying a Sea Turtle” if you’d like to determine which species it is. Stumpy Feet = Tortoise or Box Turtle It hardly gets more rough, stumpy, and elephant-feet-like than this foot of a Galapagos giant turtle. Range: Central United States Bonus Round: Identifying Exotic Pet Store Turtles If you find this turtle outside in the united states, it likely will happen to be there by accident. Turtles have existed since the Middle Jurassic period. They’ve been around longer than snakes and even crocodilians! Sea turtles are far easier to identify at a species level. There are only a handful of sea turtle species living around America’s coasts. Step One: Are There Scutes on the Carapace? YesIf you keep a species indoors that does not naturally hibernate, you must give them exposure to a UVB light on a timer year-round. These magnificent creatures come in all shapes and sizes and live in a number of different environments. They all belong to a group of reptiles called Testudines, which includes turtles, tortoises and terrapins. If the first top scute, closest to the turtle’s head, is triangular, it is one of these species. To differentiate them, look at the turtle’s head from above. Two Pairs of Scales in Front of Eyes Once you know what type of turtle it is, you have much of the information you need to help it to safety or provide appropriate accommodations. Freshwater Aquatic Turtles Freshwater aquatic turtles live in rivers, lakes, and ponds. Most of them frequently bask on the water’s edge or a floating log.

Baby turtles are harder to identify down to species level. You can’t use their size to identify them. Unfortunately, adult size is a crucial component for nailing down some turtle species. Some turtles are so small as adults that they can be mistaken for a baby! Often, when someone tells me their pet turtle isn’t eating, temperature is at fault. I cannot stress enough how important it is to know exactly what temperatures your pet is being exposed to. After any alterations, wait a few days and see if it begins feeding. During this time do not handle it, as this may cause additional stress. If you have corrected a husbandry issue the turtle should resume feeding within a week or two. Regency adventures: ‘The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered ladies’ by Alison Goodman October 23, 2023 Florida softshells prefer slow-moving or still water habitats. It has a dark-colored shell and an off-white underside. Florida softshells are the largest softshell species, reaching up to 30 inches long and 100 pounds. They only occur in the following states:

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Turtles are ‘ amniotes’ – they breathe air and lay their eggs on land, although many species live in or around water. This new title will sit happily alongside its Touchy-feely brothers and sisters in the book basket or on the shelf. They are cute, affordable and (almost) indestructible little books that tiny people will love. The Indian star tortoise is so prevalent in the pet trade that its wild populations are threatened. They usually grow around 10 inches long. Males are shorter than females. I liked it but there was too much words and this is natgeo kids for kids to read and if I were a kid I wouldn't want to read it. Maybe add a bit more pictures and less words. But overall I really liked the facts ad the were very interesting