The tortoise is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, reptile on earth. The remains of turtles are found in the Cretaceous sediments of the Mesozoic era. Thus, turtles appeared on the surface of the globe somewhere 230-225 million years ago.
It turns out that the turtles populated the Earth at the same time as the dinosaurs, but they survived them much more historically. But turtles are not only centenarians in the history of evolution on earth, but also centenarians in terms of longevity of an individual.
The average lifespan of turtles ranges from 130 to 150 years. There are examples in history when individual representatives of the tortoise family survived to 188, 250 years. A complete list of all centenarians in the animal kingdom can be found on thebiggest.ru in this article.
Turtles among all vertebrates are also striking in their appearance. Few representatives of the terrestrial fauna can boast of a powerful shell that covers the turtle from the back and belly.
Turtles are divided by habitat on marine and land turtles. Very large individuals are found in nature, but there are also very small, marsh turtles. All of them are grouped into 14 families and 2 suborders.
Consider the largest, and sometimes simply gigantic, representatives of this detachment of reptiles.
Archelon (Archelon ischyros)
Body length: 4.6 meters
This tortoise is not only the largest, but also the oldest tortoise of all living species of this species on Earth. The fossil remains of Archelon are found in sediments of the Cretaceous period. This individual turtles belongs to the extinct Cretaceous family Protostegidae, and is a relative of modern leathery turtles.
The size of the turtle is truly impressive. The total length of the specimens found is 4.6 meters, and the weight could reach 2.2 tons. The span of the flippers of Archelon was 5 meters. The tortoise could be in the deep sea for a long time, and only slightly emerged to the surface to breathe air.
The remains of the turtle are very well preserved. This is primarily due to the way of life of Archelon, who had the habit of digging deep into the silt of the seabed. The tortoise thus hibernated.
The first description of the appearance and lifestyle of Archelon was made in 1896. Despite the testimonies of sailors about meeting with giant turtles, which they say reach 12 meters, scientists are not able to detect traces of the life of Archeolon on earth. Eggs could serve as proof that this species is not extinct, because sea turtles lay their eggs on land. But today there is not a single confirmation of the life of Archelon in the modern animal world.
Miolania (Meiolania)
Body length: 5 meters
Myolania is the most suitable name for turtles. Translated from the ancient Greek language, this means "I wander."
This species of turtles became extinct about 2 thousand years ago, having existed in nature for 23.5 million years. Myolania reached 5 meters in length, although the carapace is relatively small, only 2.5 meters.
These representatives of large turtles inhabited Australia and New Caledonia, where animal skeletons were found. The closest relative can be considered modern cryptic turtles, who have chosen South America's habitat.
The appearance of the turtle was quite menacing. There were two horns on the head, due to which the skull was almost 60 centimeters in length, the tail was protected by armored rings, and also had thorns on the end.
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Trachemys scripta
Body length: up to 37 centimeters
Trachemys, which belongs to the family of American freshwater turtles, although not the largest on earth, but original and original.
Females reach 37 cm in length, males are slightly smaller - 20 cm. Due to two bright red spots at the eyes of the turtle, it got its nickname. It lives in freshwater bodies, usually very polluted. With a sedentary lifestyle, the turtle, as scientists have noted, is very curious.
From the behavior of the turtle, you can easily determine whether she is hungry or full. If you calmly bask on the shore in the sun, then ate and rested. If he swims slowly in a pond - he is looking for food.
Europeans first met in this turtle, living in South America, in the middle of the XVI century. And her first description was published in 1553. Like other turtles, Trachemys from Europe were considered only as food. Then they began to sell shells, from which household items were made.
The trachemis is not a long-liver. The average life expectancy is 30–40 years.
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Arrau (Podocnemis expansa)
Body length: up to 110 centimeters
Tartaruga, as this turtle is also called, belongs to the family of giant side-necked turtles. Mostly these turtles live in South America, on the warm coasts of the Pacific and partially the Atlantic Ocean.
A large tortoise, reaching sizes from 80 cm to 1.10 meters and weighing 70 kg, inhabited the coast in ancient times. A relatively large head on a thin neck. There are two outgrowths at the bottom of the head, and a longitudinal groove between the eyes. Carapace without protrusions, ovoid.
Since ancient times, the Indian tribes of the Amazonians used Arrau eggs for oil, and also used boiled and fried eggs for food. Over time, they began to supply meat to turtles in the United States and other countries.
Europeans discovered to science and the world this species of tortoise in 1812. Note that with such an impressive size, all Arrau turtles eat only plants.
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Cayman Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Body length: up to 40 centimeters
A turtle that can not only bite, but also bite a person’s hand, is called a biting turtle.
A rather large size Cayman tortoise can reach a weight of up to 30 kg and an armor length of 35 to 40 cm. The tortoise has a large head with a large jaw and massive teeth, which distinguishes it from other individuals of the tortoise family.
In addition to plant foods, Cayman Turtle eats fish, small animals, up to some species of waterfowl. But turtle meat itself in the United States is popular and is eaten by the local population.
The habitat for this species of turtles was chosen by the eastern and central regions of the USA and some regions of Canada. At birth, small turtles have a size of only 3 cm. But even such small turtles, protecting themselves, they are already able to bite.
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Fringed Tortoise (Chelus fimbriatus)
Body length: up to 50 centimeters
A large freshwater turtle, which belongs to the family of snake-necked turtles, has a number of other names: mat-mat or matamata. But note, neither will this turtle be distinguished in the animal variety of species. The fringed tortoise has a peculiar and original appearance. The head is slightly flattened and has a triangular, bizarre shape. The neck and head of the matamata are studded with small spikes, which gives the turtle a menacing look.
The tortoise shell reaches 40 cm and also has an unusual shape with serrated edges and three longitudinal keels, at the ends of which there are conical tubercles. The mass of adults reaches 15 kg.
The habitat of the tortoise chooses lakes and tributaries in the north of South America. You can meet this species from the Orinoco River basin to the Amazon and its tributaries. The development of impenetrable forests in South America reduces the habitat of fringed turtles, which naturally leads to a reduction in population.
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Vulture Turtle (Macroclemys temminckii)
Body length: up to 150 centimeters
The Vulture Turtle is the only species of the Macroclemys family of turtles. Having met her in wildlife, she can easily be confused with a Cayman tortoise, they are so similar. But the vulture turtle is much larger, has a number of differences. The eyes are located on the sides of the head, and the shell has a series of sawtooth teeth in the form of a single comb.
The turtle is one of the large turtles. The length of adults reaches 1.5 meters, and weight - 60 kg. The freshwater turtle, due to its impressive size and appearance, has received the nickname "Dinosaur".
A vulture turtle lives in the southeastern regions of the United States. Mostly found in the Mississippi River Basin.
The main food is fish. Hunt the turtle in an original way. She digs into the bottom mud of a pond and motionlessly waits for her victim, sticking out only a reddish tongue, which acts as a bait.
Caring for the offspring, the Vulture Turtle pulls out a half-meter hole in which it lays eggs.
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Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Body length: up to 170 centimeters
Do not be alarmed if in textbooks or other literature you come across another name for this type of tortoise - Green Sea Turtle, Soup Turtle. All this is the only species of sea turtles on the planet.
The green turtle settled in the vast territories of the tropical and subtropical regions of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. One of the largest turtles in the world. The weight of the Green Turtle can reach 500 kg, and the length with a neck and tail is from 90 to 170 cm.
The first years of life, the turtle almost does not go to land, spending time in the ocean, and feeds on jellyfish and small fish. With age, it settles closer to the coast and the diet of the turtle changes from marine animals to plant food.
The tortoise gained popularity among people with delicious meat. It is the meat of the green turtle that is used to make the famous turtle soup. Many restaurants in the world pay a lot of money to get the meat of this turtle in their kitchens.
Human activities have greatly reduced the population of Green Turtles. Many countries have passed laws prohibiting hunting for this species of turtles.
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Gigantic tortoise (Megalochelys gigantea)
Body length: up to 105 centimeters
The gigantic tortoise or the Seychelles giant tortoise is a rather rare species of land animal.
The giant tortoise is endemic, that is, a species of animal with a very limited habitat. Giant turtles can be found only on the island of Aldabra in the Indian Ocean.
The gigantic tortoise is fully responsible for its name. Powerful columnar legs, relatively small head, and powerful carapace. Adult turtle reaches a length of 105 cm, and weight - 250-300 kg. The difference from other turtles is a sphere-shaped high shell. Because of him, the growth of the turtle is 60–80 cm.
These are long-lived turtles. Some representatives live to 150 years. In 2006, the oldest representative of this species of turtles, who was about 250 years old, died.
Having a small habitat, the turtle, thus, limited itself in the choice of food, eating only dwarf vegetation of the island. This leads to a reduction in population. Today, scientists number about 16,000 individuals. On the island of Aldabra, in order to save turtles from extinction, large-scale construction and vigorous economic activity are prohibited. A partial shooting of wild goats, which are competitors for Seychelles turtles in food, is also underway.
A research center has been opened on the island to study the behavior of turtles. A gigantic tortoise adorns the Seychelles coat of arms.
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Elephant Turtle (Chelonoidis elephantopus)
Body length: up to 190 centimeters
Better known as the Galapagos tortoise, the largest representative of land turtles.
The elephant tortoise reaches a weight of more than 400 kg, and the length of individual turtles is 1.9 meters. Turtle and record holder in life expectancy among all vertebrates on earth. In nature, can live more than a hundred years. In captivity, a case was recorded when the Galapagos tortoise survived to the age of 170 years.
As the name implies, these giant tortoises have chosen the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean as their habitat.
Interestingly, the forms of some islands resemble the shape of the shell, the turtles that live on them. To settle on the islands, the ancestors of the Galapagos tortoise covered over 1,000 km, sailing to the islands from the shores of South America.
Unfortunately, this is an endangered species. From the XVI century to the second half of the XX century, their number decreased by 230 times, and in 1970 amounted to only 3,000 individuals. Zoologists around the world have taken a number of activities to increase the number of these turtles. At the beginning of the XXI century, the Galapagos turtles are already more than 1 900. But still, they are listed in the category as a vulnerable species. TheBiggest hopes that the numbers of these beautiful animals will be restored soon.
Turtles of this species have chosen plants and shrubs for food that are poisonous to other animals, thus removing competitors in the food chain.
Conclusion
Turtles are unique and peculiar animals. Not in vain, in the oldest representations of man about the Earth, the turtle was the main character. She swam in the vast ocean, on his carapace there are three elephants that held the earth. These people expressed respect for the oldest animal on Earth, worshiping the strength and power of turtles.
Most peoples of antiquity and the early Middle Ages deified turtles. For many Indian tribes, they were totemic, sacred animals.
Currently, zoologists are faced with the urgent tasks of preserving certain types of turtles, increasing their population. It is interesting that many species of turtles easily adapt to the conditions of captivity and have become real gems of many world zoos and national reserves. It is noteworthy that without experiencing difficulties with obtaining food and fenced from external enemies, turtles sometimes live in captivity sometimes longer than in natural conditions.
Article author: Valery Skiba