Turtles are referred to the genus of reptiles, which isone of the oldest on our planet. In this case, the appearance of these animals has not undergone any changes since the time of the existence of dinosaurs. Apparently, nature has created a very reasonable and convenient form.
Types of turtles are classified according toof the environment in which they live. For example, marine reptiles instead of legs have fins, since practically their entire life passes in the water. Freshwater turtles are more often on land. In this regard, they have legs, but the membranes that are between the fingers, allow them to be excellent swimmers. All kinds of land tortoises have a powerful physique and short, less sharp claws.
The most important distinguishing feature of these reptiles is their shell. Its structure, which includes several plates, allows it to grow with the animal.
All kinds of turtles are cold-blooded.Their body temperature is directly dependent on the environment. In the cold seasons, these reptiles go into a state of suspended animation, which is characterized by a slowdown of all processes in the body to a minimum. Land turtles prepare for wintering deep holes, and waterfowl - buried in mud, located at the bottom of their habitat.
These reptiles have a kind of flattenedshape of the body. Their jaws are deprived of teeth, but often have a horny beak. The four extremities of turtles can have claws. The skin of reptiles contains ossification.
All kinds of turtles are very phlegmatic. Reptiles grow slowly. For reproduction, they lay eggs on land, which are placed in special nests in the ground.
Turtles are divided into two main groups:
1. Besschitkovye.These reptiles have a skin skeleton consisting of uncombined individual elements. They also lack horny shields and claws. The limbs of inseminate turtles have a fin-like shape. The largest and most ancient representative of this group is the leatherback tortoise. This reptile can be found in the seas, located in a hot belt.
2. Shielding. Representatives of this group have well-developed dorsal and ventral carapaces.
Shield turtles, in turn, include three groups:
- secretive, folding at the retraction of the neck in the vertical plane like the letter "S" and possessing the pelvis that has not joined with the shields;
- Flabby, which draws the neck with the help of its addition to the horizontal surface, and also have fused shields of the abdominal and dorsal parts;
- soft, the nature of retraction of the neck of which coincides with the secretive ones, however, there are no corneal shields, the extremities of this group of reptiles have membranes for swimming.
Types of domestic turtles can include bothrepresentatives of freshwater and terrestrial reptiles. More often than not, lovers of these animals have royals, marsh, and Central Asian animals. Keep at home you can any kind of turtles, except giant.
Red-eared reptiles are animalsgreenish color, which have reddish spots on the head. These turtles refer to the species of freshwater. To create normal conditions, they need land. They feed on fish and vegetable food. This kind of reptile is most popular among lovers of turtles. They are active even at relatively low temperatures. Representatives of this species grow rapidly. For five years, a small turtle turns into a large adult turtle, which will require a change in the aquaterarium.
Central Asian reptilian representatives in the youngages are more helpless. They grow slower than the redhead, but in adulthood have the same size. At low temperatures, Central Asian reptiles are very slow.
What kinds of turtles do you buy for your home aquaterarium? It will depend on your tastes and preferences.
