Turtle shells are made mostly of bone; the upper part is the domed carapace, while the underside is the flatter plastron or belly-plate. Its outer surface is covered in scales made of keratin, the …

Dec 11, 2025 · turtle, (order Testudines), any reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises. Although numerous animals, from invertebrates to mammals, have evolved …

Sep 3, 2025 · The leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the world’s largest living turtle and the fourth-largest reptile. It measures over 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) in length and weighs over 500 …

Here at Nat Geo Kids we’re turt-ally mad about turtle – so we’ve put together these ten terrific turtle facts! These magnificent creatures come in all shapes and sizes and live in a number of …

Nov 11, 2025 · This guide covers 15 remarkable turtle facts including the oldest recorded turtle (188 years), their unique skeletal structure, incredible navigation abilities, and surprising …

May 27, 2024 · The turtle belongs to the Reptilia class in the Cheloniidae family, which primarily represents sea turtles. The word “ Testudines ” comes from the Latin word “testa,” which …

Sea turtles, such as the Green Sea Turtle or Loggerhead, have streamlined shells and paddle-shaped flippers for efficient aquatic movement. They spend nearly their entire lives in the …

Scientific discoveries show that the turtle population includes more than 300 varieties. Like most reptile species, you will find various turtle species on all continents apart from Antarctica. This …

ABOUT Turtle, tortoise, and terrapin: what's the difference? All turtles, tortoises, and terrapins are reptiles. Scientists often refer to them as chelonians, because they are in the taxonomic order …

The meaning of TURTLE is any of an order (Testudines synonym Chelonia) of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine reptiles that have a toothless horny beak and a shell of bony dermal …