Ranger Rick Zoobooks: Turtles

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Turtles are strange-looking creatures. Their shells can look stiff and awkward, and can make them slow. But these shells have been the secret of the turtle’s success for millions of years.

Turtles lived alongside the dinosaurs. Yet when most of the dinosaurs died out, turtles kept plodding on. Today they live in jungles, mountains, rivers, deserts, and in the sea.

There are more than 350 different species of turtles in the world. They range in size from tiny speckled tortoises, which weigh less than half a pound, to monstrous leatherback turtles, which can weigh 2,000 pounds. Most of these species fit into one of three main groups—freshwater turtles, sea turtles, or tortoises.

Freshwater turtles live in rivers or ponds. They have webbed feet and flat shells. Sea turtles live in the sea and have powerful flippers for swimming long distances. Tortoises are a special group of turtles that live on dry land. Most of them have shells that are dome shaped. They have thick, heavy legs for walking.

A few turtles do not fit any of these groups. They swim like freshwater turtles, but they spend a lot of time on land, like tortoises. Some people call this group terrapins.

Some species of turtles probably live near you. Look for them in a local pond or in some nearby woods. If left alone, they can live there for a long time. Some turtles live to be over 100 years old!

Creepy Crawlies

Ranger Rick Zoobooks: Turtles

By

Read It!

Turtles are strange-looking creatures. Their shells can look stiff and awkward, and can make them slow. But these shells have been the secret of the turtle’s success for millions of years.

Turtles lived alongside the dinosaurs. Yet when most of the dinosaurs died out, turtles kept plodding on. Today they live in jungles, mountains, rivers, deserts, and in the sea.

There are more than 350 different species of turtles in the world. They range in size from tiny speckled tortoises, which weigh less than half a pound, to monstrous leatherback turtles, which can weigh 2,000 pounds. Most of these species fit into one of three main groups—freshwater turtles, sea turtles, or tortoises.

Freshwater turtles live in rivers or ponds. They have webbed feet and flat shells. Sea turtles live in the sea and have powerful flippers for swimming long distances. Tortoises are a special group of turtles that live on dry land. Most of them have shells that are dome shaped. They have thick, heavy legs for walking.

A few turtles do not fit any of these groups. They swim like freshwater turtles, but they spend a lot of time on land, like tortoises. Some people call this group terrapins.

Some species of turtles probably live near you. Look for them in a local pond or in some nearby woods. If left alone, they can live there for a long time. Some turtles live to be over 100 years old!

Creepy Crawlies