
Turtle | Species, Classification, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 11, 2025 · Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines that have bodies encased in bony shells. There are more than 350 species of turtles.
Turtle - Adaptations, Habitats, Lifespan | Britannica
Dec 11, 2025 · Turtles have adapted to a remarkable variety of environments, but the greatest number of species occur in southeastern North America and South Asia. In both areas, most …
Turtle - Evolution, Adaptation, Conservation | Britannica
Dec 11, 2025 · Turtle - Evolution, Adaptation, Conservation: The earliest turtles known date to the Late Permian Epoch. Many of the oldest and most primitive forms lacked a shell, plastron, and …
Habitats, diets, and characteristics of turtles | Britannica
turtle, Any of approximately 300 species (order Testudines) of reptiles that have a bony shell overlaid with horny shields and are found in most parts of the world. Turtles have existed for …
Sea turtle | Description, Species, Habitat, & Facts | Britannica
Dec 16, 2025 · Sea turtle, any of seven species of marine turtles belonging to the families Dermochelyidae (leatherback sea turtles) and Cheloniidae (green turtles, flatback sea turtles, …
turtle - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help
A turtle is a reptile that has a shell covering its body. Turtles are known for moving very slowly. There are more than 350 species, or types, of turtle. Turtles are found in…
Turtle - Reptile, Classification, Adaptations | Britannica
Dec 11, 2025 · Unlike the skin of some other reptiles, turtles cannot shed their shells. Turtle shells have evolved to not only provide protection but also to be an integral part of their skeletal …
What’s the Difference Between a Turtle and a Tortoise?
Well, actually, there’s a meaningful difference between tortoises and other turtles. All tortoises are in fact turtles—that is, they belong to the order Testudines or Chelonia, reptiles having bodies …
What Do Turtles Eat? | Food, Habitat, & Variation | Britannica
Turtles have diverse diets based on their species and habitats. Some turtles, such as tortoises, are primarily herbivores, while others, like snapping turtles, are carnivorous.
List of turtles | Britannica
Turtles (order Testudines), including tortoises, are reptiles with bodies encased in bony shells. This is a list of turtles, ordered alphabetically and grouped by habitat.