Does a turtle have a gender? How to determine the sex of a red-eared turtle
In all turtles, sex is established when the egg is formed. In some species of turtles it is. But most often, sex is determined in turtles when they become sexually mature based on secondary sexual characteristics. This usually occurs in nature at the age of 6 - 8 years, at home at the age of 2-5 years and the carapace length is 9-11 cm. larger turtle, the longer it takes to grow and puberty. It is most convenient to determine sex in comparison with other turtles. Turtles living in captivity become sexually mature faster than those living in the wild.
There are several other methods, but they are used quite rarely. This is the determination of hormones in a blood test, radiography, ultrasound. On x-rays you can see the bones of the hemipenis (in some monitor lizards and geckos). Ultrasound is often uninformative due to the small size of the testes and ovaries. The female can be recognized by ultrasound during the formation of follicles. Analysis of hormones is informative in sexually mature individuals, but there are fluctuations in the level of the hormone depending on the mating season (during the rutting period, testosterone levels increase sharply).
"Ultrasound - informative in adults and requires serious interpretation skills. X-ray - can be used only to a limited extent. Endoscopy - adults and young, expensive, requires serious skills, hardly suitable for very small animals. Blood test for hormones: requires interpretation skills, values vary , dear, is more applicable to adults. In general, each method makes sense, using a combination of methods can increase accuracy (as well as increase costs)." (S. Kutorov)
“Theoretically, mechanisms of gender suppression exist - everything is tied to hormones. The hormonal background consists of many interconnected hormones. And this background also depends on the central nervous system. And if a dominant male constantly suppresses another, then the background can shift towards female hormones. The length claws probably depends on the number of produced male hormones"(Rud)
Among the secondary characteristics for determining the sex of turtles, the tail, shell shape, eye color, skin color, claws, and head size are analyzed. Before puberty, all turtles look like females.
Determining the sex of turtles by their tail
- Tail length and size. In males, the tail is long and thin, in females it is short and thick due to the placement of the oviduct in their cloaca, without thickening.
- Protruding penis in males. Males periodically evert the penis when defecating or manipulating the posterior part of the body. It looks like a rose, and when you touch it with your hand, it goes away. Sometimes turtles can have their cloaca or intestines fall out, but then they don't come back out. In this case, you need to contact a veterinarian before necrosis occurs.
- Location and type of cloaca. In females, the cloaca is near the end of the carapace and has the appearance of an asterisk, while in males the cloaca is further from the edge of the carapace (located in the last third of the tail towards its tip) and is more like a longitudinal line.
Determining the sex of turtles by their shell
- Shell shape. Males have a longer and narrower shell compared to the shorter and rounder shell of females.
- Concavity of the plastron. The lower shell is concave in males and flat in females. This shape of the shell helps to hold the male’s body on the female’s convex carapace during mating. Usually turtles with medium height and high shell (swamp, Mediterranean, star, radiant and others).
- Shell size. Males are often smaller than females, who need to carry the eggs. Males larger than females in Galapagos (Geochelone nigra), South African turtles (Chersina angulata), desert turtles, box turtles (Terrapene carolina), Mullenberg's turtles (Clemmys muhlenbergii), American marsh turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), snapping and yellow mud turtles (Kinosternon flavescens).
- Posterior end of the plastron. It has a more pronounced V shape in males; in females it is more rounded and forms an opening, the diameter of which in females is slightly larger.
- Shell color. In a painted turtle, if the turtle's plastron is blue, it is a male, and if the turtle's plastron is a color other than blue, then it is a female.
- Length and thickness of claws.
Many males have a bland aquatic turtles The claws on the front paws are long. They need them to court females and hold them on their shells during mating (Trachemys, Pseudemys, Chrysemys and Graptemys). Male box turtles have thick, curved claws on hind legs on the inside, which help themselves during mating. Mature female panther tortoises (Geochelone pardalis) also have elongated claws on their hind feet, which they use when laying eggs. In males sea turtles the claws on the front feet are long and curved to hold onto the female during mating. - Femoral spurs. In males of some species land turtles Femoral spurs are better expressed compared to females.
- Scales. Male snapping turtles have enlarged scales on the inside of their hind legs.
Determining the sex of turtles by the head
- Eye color. In European swamp turtles (brown m/yellow f), Carolina box turtles (red m/brown f), Spengler's mountain turtles (blue m/brown f), the eye color of females and males is different.
- Upper jaw color. Male European marsh turtles have a whitish upper jaw.
- Nose color. Males of Indotestudo elongata have a red nose, while females have a yellow nose.
- Glands on the lower jaw. Male gophers have well-developed glands on their lower jaws that serve to mark areas.
- Head size. Male snapping turtles have enlarged heads.
- Head color. In callagurs (Callagur borneoensis), the male's head changes color from gray to white during mating season with a bright red stripe between the eyes.
- Nose length. In red-eared turtles, males have a more pointed nose than females.
Determining the sex of turtles by behavior
- Voice. It was believed that only males could squeak during mating, but recently it was discovered that females can imitate the behavior of males and depict mating and squeak.
- Sexual behavior. Only males exhibit sexual behavior in turtles. They can chase females, flirt with their claws, show aggression, bite their necks, and nod their heads. Females sometimes imitate this behavior during childhood.
Determining the sex of aquatic turtles
red-eared turtles
Males have a long and thick tail, females have a short one.
red-eared turtles
Males have long claws, females have short ones.
swamp turtles
In males upper lip whitish, Brown eyes. Females have yellow eyes.
swamp turtles
In males it is thick and very a long tail, notch on the plastron. Females do not have a notch and have a thinner and slightly shorter tail.
trionics
In females, tubercles remain on the shell with age, while in males they smooth out. From the age of three, the male grows a rather long tail with a light longitudinal stripe on top, while the female’s tail remains small. Females are usually larger than males.
painted turtle
The front claws of males are longer than the front claws of females. The tail of males is longer than that of females.
pig-nosed turtle
The tail of males is larger and longer than the tail of females.
common musk turtle
Males differ from females in having a short plastron and spiny scales on internal sides hind legs. The scales serve the male to hold the female during mating.
long-necked turtles
Males of these genera are characterized by a thick and long tail compared to females.
snapping turtles
Males more females, the tail is longer and thicker, the cloaca is located further from the base of the tail.
Determining the sex of land turtles
Central Asian turtles
greek turtles
star turtles
Males have a thick and long tail, while females have a shorter tail. Males have a notch on the plastron.
fringed turtles
Males have a tail that is much thicker and longer than that of a female, and the cloaca has the shape of a longitudinal stripe. Due to its length, the tail often curls under the shell, whereas in females it simply sticks out. Also, the shell above the tail bends towards the ground. Females have a small short tail, and the cloaca is shaped like an asterisk.
yellowheads Indian turtles
Males have a thick and long tail, while females have a shorter tail. Males have a red nose.
radiant turtles
Males have a thick and long tail, while females have a shorter tail. Males have a notch on the plastron.
Males have a thick and long tail, while females have a shorter tail. There is no notch on the plastron.
red footed turtles
Nowadays, many people keep turtles, claiming that these wise, centenarians have some sympathy for their owners. Some turtles love affection, especially when their owner strokes their head. They literally become members of our family. Turtle might be for you best friend if you can provide her proper care.
What kind of turtle should I get?
Modern pet stores offer huge selection various animals, including turtles. Red-eared turtles are also very popular these days. These turtles have beautiful juicy colors, they are very active and nimble, despite the temperature in the room.
Many people are concerned about the question of how to determine the sex of a turtle. The answer to this can be found very easily by reading the article. There are many external signs, which will help you determine the sex of your turtle. However, if she is very small, you will not be able to determine her gender for sure. This can usually be done when the turtle reaches puberty.
How to determine gender correctly?
Let's figure out how to determine the sex of a turtle? There are several basic signs that will help you correctly understand whether you have acquired a male or a female:
- All males have longer tails.
- Females have flat and shorter tails.
- If Bottom part The shell is concave, most likely it is a boy.
- If the plastron is completely flat, then you have acquired a girl.
- In males, the posterior end of the plastron has a certain shape, different from females, in the form of the letter V.
- Males have longer and more curved claws
If you don't know how to determine the sex of a turtle, you need to contact a veterinarian who can help you figure out your pet.
- Turtles eat very little: it is enough to feed them 2-3 times a week.
- They do not emit unpleasant odors.
- Turtles defecate in water.
- Turtles consume very little liquid.
- Able to withstand any temperature.
- Very quiet and peaceful animals.
How to properly care for a turtle?
Turtles can adapt to any habitat. After you have found the answer to the question of how to determine the sex of a turtle, you can move on to the features of caring for pets. In captivity, turtles live no more than thirty years. They need to be kept in a spacious aquaterrarium. Turtles need both land and water at the same time. Set up a comfortable and spacious island in the aquarium where your pet will rest and bask under the lamp.
The water in the aquaterrarium must be changed once a month. It is best to use distilled water. Turtles are very thermophilic, so it is necessary to install a lamp above the equipped island. You can feed your turtle: minced meat, granulated feed, bloodworms, boiled fish. Baby turtles need to be fed by including fresh vegetables in their diet every day. An adult can be fed three times a week. They are very fond of lettuce and young cabbage. The food must be stored on the island. Your turtle's overgrown claws can be shortened with special tweezers. Domestic turtles are very friendly and crawl out of the water at the sight of their owner.
What can you feed your turtle:
- Fruits and berries.
- Young cabbage leaves.
- Fresh cucumbers.
- Tomatoes.
- Dandelions and clover.
- Leaves of young trees.
- Lean meats and fish.
- Hercules flakes.
- Hard-boiled chicken eggs.
- Low-fat cottage cheese.
Try to diversify your pet's diet. Water turtles love most spend time in the water and, sometimes, a short period on land. Proper care will keep your pet happy. You can buy a baby turtle in a nursery, on a website on the Internet or in a special pet store.
Those who decide to start breeding turtles need to know what signs can be used to determine the sex of an animal. It turns out that this is not as simple as it seems at first glance - outwardly, boys and girls are almost indistinguishable, unlike other animals. It is equally important to know how long this reptile lives in natural environment and at home, and for this, again, you will have to arm yourself with some information.
So, how do you find out the gender of a turtle, and finally give it an appropriate name? Unfortunately, this will have to wait until a pet will reach sexual maturity, and this period corresponds to 7-8 years of the reptile’s life. Moreover, its shell must be at least ten centimeters long. To avoid waiting so long, you will have to resort to another method. Gender can be determined by a number of distinctive characteristics. external characteristics reptile.
For example, according to the carapace, or rather, according to its abdominal shield - plastron:
- in females it is practically a flat plane without any depressions or concavities, and in some species the scutellum is even slightly convex;
- males, as befits men, have a leaner abdomen - their shell has a concave shape, and on the thighs of the hind legs, as a rule, there are growths in the form of spurs.
The condition of the shell can also confirm the gender of the reptile with its tubercles, which are most pronounced in girls - in males they are initially not so prominent, and every year they become more and more smoothed out, disappearing completely by the age of puberty.
An animal’s claws can also give you an idea of whether the person in front of you is a boy or a girl:
- In fact, the claws on turtle feet of reptiles of both sexes differ significantly in their length and thickness. The horny plates of males are much longer and stronger - this is due to the fact that during mating game They need them to cling tightly to the female’s shell.
- Girls do not need such devices, so their claws are short and rather blunt.
At home, it can be difficult to determine the sex based on this feature due to the fact that in captivity the stratum corneum of pets can grind off on the soil of the terrarium or the turtles do this themselves.
Other characteristics that can help determine gender include the animal’s tail and cloaca:
- Boys have a wider and longer tail, hidden under the shell, which bends strongly downward in this area. This is due to the fact that there is a sexual organ underneath it. But on ladies, a short thin ponytail can be found on the outside.
- The reptile's cloaca is also a subject for research. In females it is shifted to the edge of the shell and has the shape of a small star, while in the male it is somewhat moved away from the plastron and is presented in the form of a longitudinal strip.
If a marsh turtle has become a pet, just look into its eyes - usually in females they are amber-yellow, and in males they are darker with a brown tint.
The sex of an animal can also be assessed in accordance with visual observations of the behavior and size of the animals. If several reptiles of the same age are placed in one terrarium, you can immediately notice that some are slightly larger than others. Females are always more impressive in size, since their reproductive task is to bear and lay eggs.
Different behavior during mating season can also reveal animal representatives different genders. Females, as a rule, behave rather reservedly, which cannot be said about males. To attract the attention of his chosen one, the boy will move very actively around the terrarium, nod his head in different sides, move the tail, rise, swing the front legs. A mature male treats his rivals aggressively - he can attack them, bite and strike them with his clawed paws, and try to turn the opponent on his back.
How to determine the age of a turtle
Sometimes a pet comes to us from an unknown owner, and there is no one to ask about it, but it is very important to know about the pet’s age.
One way to find out is to calculate the age arithmetically, based on the fact that every year a newborn reptile measuring 3 centimeters and weighing 10 g grows by 2 cm. This is the average norm accepted for all representatives land reptiles medium and small sizes. Accordingly, by the age of 10 years the pet will have a length of about 18-20 centimeters. But do not forget that turtles of some species are distinguished by more active growth of females.
Another way is to study the horny scutes of the shell, which become more and more rigid every year. During the first year, up to 2-3 light layers are formed, and after five years they tend to darken, after which such “rings” begin to appear on the turtle every year. You can distinguish an old turtle by its pale shell, devoid of bright patterns.
How long does a land turtle live at home?
The lifespan of land turtles depends on external and internal factors, in particular on the environment in which they live, as well as on physiological characteristics organism of a given animal species.
Representatives wildlife live about 150 years and the larger the individual, the longer term her life, domestic turtles are able to live next to a person for no more than 50-60 years, although this is not a short period. Of course, the main role in this is played by proper care, maintenance and nutrition of a small pet.
Scientists explain such a big difference by the fact that in its natural environment the animal, in fact, is constantly on a forced diet, while constantly moving in search of food. This gives her certain advantages that, for the most part, those who are fed are deprived of. literally, to death, their domestic brethren. This is why veterinarians regularly remind owners that their reptiles should not overeat.
Age land turtle not at all a hindrance to her active, cognitive activity, and it doesn’t matter that the animal is not a model of speed - this amazing reptile can live and please its owners for quite a long time if the owner shows real care for his small unusual pet.
Determining the sex of various exotic animals is quite a complex matter. This is especially true for birds and amphibians.
Pond slider- a fairly popular aquarium amphibian in our homes. She is beautiful, active and interesting to watch.
Often, amphibian lovers get not just one turtle, but several at once for breeding. Therefore, owners often wonder what gender their pet.
MEET YOUR PET
Red-eared turtles are easy to care for and therefore are recommended for those who first decided to have reptiles. Red-eared turtles are freshwater species . They live about 30-40 years. The length and shell can reach 18-30 centimeters.
The shell of turtles is olive or yellowish-brown in color. In young individuals it may be deep green.
The turtle's head and neck are covered with white and green stripes and spots. But they owe their name to two spots extending from the eye area. They have orange-red tint.
The red-eared turtle comes from America. Its habitat natural habitat- all Central America And northwestern part South America. The species was also introduced into Israel, South Africa, Guadeloupe and other European countries, where it successfully took root.
The amphibian lives in small swampy bodies of water: lakes, ponds. Turtles sedentary, but curious. Their favorite pastime is lying in the warm sun.
The red-eared turtle has well-developed vision and sense of smell, but the hearing and vocal cords of this amphibian are poorly developed. The turtle can only hiss or snort when excited and irritated. Possessing strong jaws, the red-eared turtle can severely injure a person or other pet if threatened.
Video: find out the gender
When can it be determined?
Turtles live a long time, so they acquire both young and adult individuals. Determine gender V at a young age(before reaching the age of puberty) is almost impossible. Therefore, in order to correctly and reliably determine the sex, you need to wait until the turtle turns five to eight years.
GENERAL SIGNS OF DETERMINING GENDER
General signs by which it is already possible to determine the sex of a turtle at the age of three years are:
- body color and characteristic markings;
- shape and color of the muzzle;
- length and thickness of claws;
- the shape of the abdomen and shell;
- tail length and thickness;
- the size of the turtle itself upon reaching sexual maturity;
- location and appearance of the cloaca;
- sexual behavior.
This general signs, which are suitable for determining the sex of most turtle species. But when studying appearance pet, keep in mind that inspection should be carried out exclusively by adults. You must hold the turtle carefully and carefully, without squeezing the shell with your fingers. Do not bring it close to your face or areas with exposed skin; the turtle may scratch or even bite you.
HOW TO KNOW BY THE SHELL
Having reached sexual maturity, females and males already differ in size. Males usually fewer females and have a more elongated shell. Females are larger and have a rounded shell. But this applies only to those individuals who have already reached sexual maturity.
At the age of six years, the length of the shell in males reaches 9-11 centimeters, and in females - 10-18.
The ventral part of the shell is plastron, in males has more concave shape. This is explained by the fact that during mating it will be more convenient for him to stay on the female’s back. Posterior part of the plastron in males slightly pointed and reminds English letter V.
Females have a flat, slightly rounded plastron closer to the tail.
IDENTIFICATION BY CLAWS
The easiest way to determine the sex of a turtle by claws. Males usually have longer, elongated, clearly defined claws.
With such claws, males attract females during the mating period.
They wave them in front of the females' noses to attract attention and please them.
In addition, males need claws during the mating period. With them they cling to the female’s shell in order to more firmly fixate on her during the fertilization process.
Female claws red-eared slider shorter and thicker. But keep in mind that this sign is not suitable for young turtles, claws that may not have yet grown to the required size, or for old turtles that may have worn their claws off on pebbles or soil in the terrarium.
DETERMINATION BY NOSE LENGTH AND SHAPE
This sign is not reliable, but is sometimes used to determine the sex of turtles.
It is believed that the muzzles and noses of males are more narrow and elongated, in contrast to the rounded and wide muzzles of females.
This method should only be used by breeders with extensive experience in breeding turtles, since this trait is very subjective.
Video: pet review
Identification by tail
Determination of gender red-eared turtle The length and thickness of the tail is determined by measurements.
Males, unlike females, have a longer and thicker tail at the base. Females have a much shorter and straighter tail due to the oviduct located in it. In addition, the tail of males is slightly bent down.
By turning the turtle belly up, you can see the cloaca. In males it is located further from the body, almost in the middle of the tail, and resembles an elongated line. In females, the cloaca is located at the beginning of the tail, almost under the shell, and resembles an asterisk.
DETERMINING GENDER BY BEHAVIOR
In addition to external signs, you can determine the sex of a turtle by its behavior. Females have a calmer disposition. They are less active and prefer to swim slowly or bask in the light.
Males are active. They study quickly and curiously the world, trying out all new items to taste. Be careful as they can also be aggressive.
If a female and a male are located in the same terrarium, then the male’s sexual attraction is clearly manifested. He chases the female, nods his head and tries to bite her on the neck.
IN mating season The male swims with the female, only he does it with his tail first, supporting the head of the chosen one with his claws.
CONCLUSION
Based on all of the listed methods for determining the sex of a red-eared turtle, you can find out whether your favorite is male or female, or start breeding this beautiful amphibian at home. In addition, knowing the sex of the turtle is also important because keeping several males in one terrarium is unacceptable!
But take everything into account content rules turtles at home.
The terrarium should have both areas filled with water and islands of land where the turtle can bask in the sun and relax.
Turtles should include the following in their diet: plant foods, and raw meat. Add mineral supplements to the food to avoid calcium deficiency in your animal.
A turtle is an animal of the chordate type, class reptiles, order of tortoise (lat. Testudines). These animals have existed on planet Earth for more than 220 million years.
The tortoise got its Latin name from the word “testa”, meaning “brick”, “tile” or “clay vessel”. The Russian analogue came from the Proto-Slavic word čerpaxa, which in turn came from the modified Old Slavic word “čerpъ”, “shard”.
Turtle - description, characteristics and photographs.
Turtle shell.
A characteristic feature turtles have a shell that is designed to protect the animal from natural enemies. turtle shell consists of a dorsal (carapace) and abdominal (plastron) part. The strength of this protective cover is such that it can easily withstand a load exceeding the weight of the turtle by 200 times. The carapace consists of two parts: internal armor made of bone plates, and external armor made of horny scutes. In some species of turtles, the bony plates are covered with thick skin. The plastron was formed due to the fused and ossified sternum, clavicles and abdominal ribs.
Depending on the species, the size and weight of the turtle vary significantly. Among these animals there are giants weighing more than 900 kg with a carapace size of 2.5 meters or more, but there are small turtles whose body weight does not exceed 125 grams and whose shell length is only 9.7-10 cm.
Head and eyes of a turtle.
Turtle head It has streamlined shape and medium size, which allows you to quickly hide it inside a safe shelter. However, there are species with large heads that fit poorly or not at all into the shell. In some representatives of the genus, the tip of the muzzle looks like a kind of “proboscis” ending in nostrils.
Due to the peculiarities of the way of life on land, the turtle's eyes look at the ground. U water representatives detachment, they are located closer to the top of the head and directed forward and upward. The neck of most turtles is short, however, individual species it can be comparable to the length of the carapace.
Does a turtle have teeth? How many teeth does a turtle have?
To bite and grind food, turtles use a hard and powerful beak, the surface of which is covered with rough bulges that replace teeth. Depending on the type of food, they can be razor-sharp (in predators) or with jagged edges (in herbivores). The ancient turtles that lived 200 million years ago, unlike modern individuals, had real teeth. The tongue of turtles is short and serves only for swallowing, and not for capturing food, so it does not stick out.
Limbs and tail of turtles.
A turtle has a total of 4 legs. The structure and functions of the limbs depend on the animal’s lifestyle. Species that live on land have flattened forelimbs adapted for digging and powerful hind legs. For freshwater turtles characterized by the presence of leathery membranes between the toes on all four paws that facilitate swimming. In sea turtles, during the process of evolution, the limbs have been transformed into a kind of flippers, and the size of the front ones is much larger than the back ones.
Almost all turtles have a tail, which, like the head, is hidden inside the shell. In some species it ends in a nail-shaped or pointed spine. Turtles have well-developed color vision, which helps them find food, and excellent hearing, which allows them to hear enemies at a considerable distance.
Turtles molt, like many reptiles. U land species shedding affects the skin in small quantity In aquatic turtles, molting occurs unnoticed. During molting, transparent shields peel off from the shell, and the skin from the paws and neck comes off in rags.
Lifespan of a turtle natural conditions can reach 180-250 years. When winter cold or summer drought sets in, turtles go into hibernation, the duration of which can exceed six months.
Due to the weakly expressed sexual characteristics of turtles, it is very difficult to determine which of the animals is a “boy” and which is a “girl”. However, if you approach the issue carefully, having studied some of the external and behavioral characteristics of these exotic and interesting reptiles, then finding out their gender will not seem such a difficult matter.
- Carapace. In the female it usually has a more elongated, elongated shape compared to the male.
- Plastron (lower part of the shell). Turn the turtle over and look at it carefully - the shell on the side of the abdomen closer to the anus in female turtles is flat, in males it is slightly concave (by the way, this nuance facilitates the mating process).
- Tail. Male turtles have a tail that is slightly longer, wider and thicker at the base, most often curved down. The tail of the “young ladies” is short and straight.
- Anal opening (cloaca). In females it is located somewhat closer to the tip of the tail, shaped like an asterisk or a circle compressed on the sides. In male turtles, the anus has a narrow oblong or slit shape.
- Claws. In almost all species, except the leopard tortoise, the claws of males on the forelimbs are longer than those of females.
- Notch at the tail. Males have a V-shaped notch in the back of their shell, which is necessary for turtles to mate.
- Behavior. Male turtles are most often more active, and during the mating season they are distinguished by their aggressiveness towards their rival and towards the “lady of the heart”, they chase her, trying to bite her, and nod their heads funny. At this time, the female can calmly watch the “courtship”, hiding her head in her shell.
- Some species of turtles have specific differences between females and males, such as color, size or head shape.
Types of turtles - photos and descriptions.
The tortoise order consists of two suborders, divided by the way the animal retracts its head into its shell:
- Hidden-necked turtles, folding their necks in the shape of the Latin letter “S”;
- Side-necked turtles, hiding their head towards one of their front legs.
According to the habitat of turtles, there is the following classification:
- Sea turtles (live in seas and oceans)
- Terrestrial turtles (live on land or in fresh water)
- Land turtles
- Freshwater turtles
In total, there are more than 328 species of turtles, forming 14 families.
Varieties of land turtles.
- Galapagos tortoise (elephant)(lat. Chelonoidis elephantopus). The length of the shell of these turtles can reach 1.9 meters, and the weight of the turtle can exceed 400 kg. The size of the animal and the shape of its shell depend on the climate. In arid areas, the carapace is saddle-shaped, and the limbs of the reptile are long and thin. Weight large males rarely exceeds 50 kg. In humid climate the shape of the dorsal shell becomes dome-shaped, and the size of the animal increases significantly. Lives elephant turtle on the Galapagos Islands.
- Egyptian tortoise(lat. Testudo kleinmanni) is a small representative of land turtles. The size of the carapace of males barely reaches 10 cm, females a little larger. The color of the shell of this type of turtle is brown-yellow with a small border along the edges of the horny scutes. Lives egyptian tortoise in northern Africa and the Middle East.
- (lat. Testudo (Agrionemys) horsfieldii) is a small reptile with a shell size of up to 20 cm. The carapace has rounded shape and is colored yellowish-brown with darker spots indeterminate form. These turtles have 4 toes on their forelimbs. The most popular type of turtle for home care, lives about 40-50 years. Lives Central Asian tortoise in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Syria, northeastern Iran, northwestern Pakistan and India.
- Leopard tortoise (panther tortoise)(lat. Geochelone pardalis). The carapace length of this turtle exceeds 0.7 m, and the weight can reach 50 kg. The shell of this type of turtle is high and dome-shaped. Its color has sandy-yellow tones, on which in young individuals a spotted pattern of black or dark brown is clearly visible, disappearing as they grow older. This species of turtle lives in African countries.
- Cape spotted turtle(lat. Homopus Signatus) is the smallest turtle in the world. The length of its carapace does not exceed 10 cm, and its weight reaches 95-165 grams. Lives in South Africa and southern Namibia.
Types of freshwater turtles.
- Painted turtle (decorated turtle)(lat. Chrysemys picta). A rather small species of turtles with individual sizes ranging from 10 to 25 cm. The upper part of the oval dorsal shell has a smooth surface, and its color can be either olive green or black. The skin has the same color, but with different stripes of red or yellow tone. They have leathery membranes between their toes. Lives in Canada and the USA.
- European marsh turtle(lat. Emys orbicularis). The size of individuals can reach up to 35 cm and weight 1.5 kg. The smooth, oval carapace is movably connected to the plastron and has a slightly convex shape. Representatives of this species have a very long tail (up to 20 cm). The color of the upper shell is brown or olive. Skin color is dark with yellow spots. The turtle lives in European countries, the Caucasus, and Asian countries.
- . The shell of these turtles can be up to 30 cm long. Its coloring is bright green in young individuals, over time it turns into yellow-brown or olive. Next to the eyes on the head there are two spots of yellow, orange or red. This feature gave the species its name. The red-eared slider lives in the USA, Canada, and northwestern South America (northern Venezuela and Colombia).
- Snapping turtle (biting)(lat. Chelydra serpentina). A characteristic feature of a turtle is a cross-shaped plastron and a long tail, which is covered with scales with small spines, as well as the skin of the head and neck. The shell dimensions of these turtles can reach 35 cm, and the weight of an adult animal can be 30 kg. Unfavourable conditions The snapping turtle waits in hibernation. This turtle lives in the USA and southeastern Canada.
Types of sea turtles.
- Hawksbill turtle (true carriage)(lat. Eretmochelys imbricata). The carapace of these turtles is heart-shaped and up to 0.9 m in size. The upper layer of the shell is painted in brown tones with a pattern of multi-colored spots. In young individuals, the horny plates overlap each other like tiles, but as it grows, the overlap disappears. The front flippers of the animal are equipped with two claws. Hawksbill lives in both latitudes northern hemisphere, and in southern countries.
- Leatherback turtle(lat. Dermochelys coriacea) - this is the most big turtle in the world. The span of its front flipper-like limbs reaches 2.5 meters, the mass of reptiles is more than 900 kg, and the dimensions of the shell exceed 2.6 m. The surface of the upper shell is covered not with keratinized plates, but with dense skin, for which the species received its name. The turtle lives in tropical areas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.
- Green turtle (soup turtle)(lat. Chelonia mydas). The weight of the turtle ranges from 70 to 450 kg, and the carapace size is from 80 to 150 cm. The color of the skin and carapace can be either olive with a green tint or dark brown with various spots and stripes of white or yellow color. The turtle's shell is short and oval shape, and its surface is covered with large horny scutes. Because of big size These reptiles do not hide their heads inside. Lives green turtle in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
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