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 material of …

May 11, 2026 · A turtle is any reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises. The turtle shell has a top (carapace) and a bottom (plastron). The carapace and plastron are bony structures …

Jan 19, 2026 · A turtle’s shell is typically made of 50 to 60 bones arranged into a dorsal, domed carapace and a ventral, flat plastron. The latter is an assemblage of bones from the sternum, …

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 different …

Turtles Turtles (Testudines) are one of the most prominent reptile orders, characterized by their large bony shells that act as their primary defense mechanism. The head and limbs are retrieved within the …

Learn the types of TURTLES that can be found in the United States, and how to identify them. How many of these species have YOU seen?

Apr 8, 2026 · Turtles, like other reptiles, are ectothermic or cold-blooded, which means that their body temperature changes with their surroundings.

Dec 6, 2024 · The leatherback turtle has a teardrop-shaped body. The leatherback turtle or also commonly called lute turtle or leathery turtle is the biggest of all the turtle species. They can be …

Turtle diets are as varied as their habitats, reflecting their diverse ecological roles. They can be herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores, with dietary preferences often shifting with age and species: …

Jun 21, 2022 · 30 amazing types of turtles, from the land-dwelling desert tortoise Gopherus agassizii, to the mighty leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea, the world’s largest living turtle species.