Types of Turtles

The Essential Guide To Keeping The Alligator Snapping Turtle As A Pet

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Alligator Snapping Turtle

There are only two types of snapping turtles in the entire world, the alligator snapping turtle and the common snapping turtles. Both areAlligator Snapping Turtle indigenous to certain parts of the United States, but are commonly kept as pets worldwide.

Common snapping turtles tend to be more common than the alligator snapping turtle.

If you’re interested in keeping an alligator snapping turtle as a pet, this guide is a great starting point.

It’s all the essentials you need to know to understand this cute little shelled friend that bit more.

Let’s take a closer look at the alligator snapping turtle and how to care for it:

 

A Little Background On The Alligator Snapping Turtle

Alligator snapping turtles (macrochelys temminckii) are the largest freshwater turtles in North America and usually live in waterways like lakes, canals, rivers and bayous. The water is always preferred to be deeper if possible, and you won’t commonly find them in a pond or shallow stream. That being said, they can be found in swamps and more shallow waters.

The turtles can be found in the Southern parts of the United States and despite them being pretty tough, they are sadly listed as vulnerable by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature.

When it comes to their temperament with people – they are sassy. They will lunge and give you a nasty bite, especially if they feel threatened. They won’t go out of their way to hurt you though as they are quite timid, so an attack is always a defensive, rather than offensive move. Still, you can hear of stores of those whom were bit by snapping turtle.

There are lots of reasons that people love the alligator snapping turtle. One reason is that it has a really interesting style of hunting. They camouflage themselves with leaves and mud and then use their tongue as a fishing lure.

The unsuspecting fish will then be attracted to the lure where it is then ambushed by the turtle. You can see this impressive ambush hunting style play out in this Youtube Video.

 

Alligator Snapping Turtle StatisticsAlligator Snapping Turtle

Life Span – Some alligator snapping turtles can live well over 100 years although there isn’t much known about wild snapping turtle average lifespans. Their average lifespan in captivity is up to 70 years.

Size – Males are smaller than females, but both will have a shell about 16-26 inches long.

Weight – Males weight between 20 and 75 pounds and females weigh anywhere from 70 to 200 pounds.

Time Spent In Water – They can hold their breath for around 40-50 minutes and may spend most of their time in the water

Social Life – Alligator turtles are solitary animals.

Reproduction – Females nest from April to June and lay up to 45 eggs at a time nearby to the water. Eggs hatch about three months after being laid.

Status – Alligator snapping turtles are endangered and have some level of legal protection because of this, but the enforcement of the protection is difficult to maintain.

Diet – Alligator snapping turtles eat all kinds of foods depending on local availability. They will eat fish, snakes, crustaceans, plant roots, small mammals and even birds.

Threats – Sadly, the main predator of an alligator snapping turtle is humans. Whilst baby turtles can be eaten by various birds and mammals, humans are the main predator for human turtles. They may get hunted for food, to be illegally kept as pets (more in this below) and they can also be run over on highways and roads.

 

Keeping An Alligator Snapping Turtle As A Pet

It is always recommended that you buy a domestic alligator snapping turtle rather than take an animal from the wild. This is the most ethical and environmentally friendly choice, and gives you the best chance of having a healthy animal in your care.

Here are some tips on caring for your new prehistoric looking friend:

How To Hold An Alligator Snapping Turtle

Small turtles can be held by holding the turtles at the sides carefully, making sure you have a good grip of the animal. Adult turtles can weigh as much as a person so it is a little harder. You will need to hold the shell behind the head and in front of the tail being extra careful to avoid the mouth, which is very strong. You should never hold the tail of a snapping turtle as this could cause spine damage.

When handling your turtle please also remain aware of the risk of salmonella. In 1975 the US Food and Drug Administration stopped turtles under 4 inches (carapace) in length being sold to reduce the risk of salmonella. However, all turtles can carry it and there is no way to tell if they do or not. The best thing to do is always wash your hands after handling the turtle and never touch your mouth before you give your hands a good scrub.

Children are at a particularly high risk of getting salmonella from turtles as their immune systems are lower. In fact, the CDC recommends you don’t even look to own a turtle or similar animals if you have children aged five or under because of the salmonella risk.

Quarantine

You should quarantine your turtle for around 90 days at least, away from any other chelonians in the house. During this time it is a good idea to visit an exotics experienced vet to check the animal over and run some basic tests.

Some basic observations you can do yourself include:

  • Is the turtle heavy? If not it could be unwell.
  • Is the turtle alert? If it seems overly docile it could be sick. They do relax after a while when being handled but at first they should have some reaction to being picked up.
  • Are there soft spots on the shell (top and bottom) if there are, the turtle could have shell rot.
  • Are there any flies on the turtle? If there are, there could be some infected wounds.
  • Are there any signs of damage to the turtle’s shell or body, such as blood? Open wounds need attention.
  • Does the turtle have swollen eyes? If so it may be deficient in vitamin A and its diet needs changing accordingly.
  • Does the turtle have an abscess? See your vet if it doesn’t go away on its own within a few days.
  • Does your turtle have less of an appetite, nasal and eye discharge? It may have a lung infection and requires immediate attention.

Of course, over time you will get to know what is normal for your turtle. The best option is to see a vet as soon as you notice there are any issues so that they can be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.

Protecting Your Turtle During Transport

Whether you are taking your turtle to the vets or home from the breeders it has to be transported properly to avoid damage.

You should never transport them in water because they could drown. Instead a container with some damp newspaper or paper towels will work well for smaller turtles. You may have to add some heat pads and use a polystyrene container if the weather is very cold (your breeder should be able to advise you on this).

With larger turtles you will need to think carefully about how to setup the transportation for them. The seller should be able to advise you on this so you can plan it long in advance of the journey.

Temperature

You’ll need to raise the water temperature of the turtle’s enclosure to remain at between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This will differ depending on whether you have a northern or southern alligator snapping turtle type. Using a turtle tank thermometer and the appropriate warming accessories will help you monitor this.

The water should also have sunny spots and shaded spots, which you can provide with a mix of reeds and other suitable plants in the pond.

Enclosure

Snapping turtles grow really quickly so it’s a good idea to be ready to expand their enclosure as they grow along the following measurement guidelines –

  • Hatchlings – 20-50 gallon tank up to a year
  • Juveniles – (Over 8 inches) 55 gallon tank until adulthood
  • Adults – 200-800 gallon enclosure

As a general rule, the bigger is better with an alligator snapping turtle enclosure. They also require running water and space to be immersed in that water, as well as a land area.

You can choose from a metal or a plastic tank, with metal tanks needing pond liner to avoid the metals seeping into the water and hurting your turtle.

When the turtle gets bigger it will need a pond built and will likely be too big for a tank. Cement ponds tend to be more durable but more expensive.

The pond should be –

  • Over three quarters shallow and warm
  • A maximum depth of three metres in the middle
  • Offering a gentle slope and no difficult steps for the turtle to navigate to get in and out

When the pond is built you should add appropriate protection for the turtle as raccoons, cats and other animals will try to prey on the turtle.

Lastly, the water will need to be filtered and circulated to keep it clear and full of oxygen. You can make ponds that don’t need filtration but it is much harder. Either way, both types of ponds will need a way to drain the water for the best maintenance options.

Lighting

Alligator snapping turtles do not necessarily require UVB lighting, but will appreciate incandescent basking lights in the tank for when they do decide to get out and bask.

Substrate

Lots of turtle owners will recommend that the tank contains no substrate which will help the water stay clean and reduce the chance of bacteria growing.

However, that doesn’t mean your snapper should not have a little hiding place. It’s a basic instinct your turtle has and it will help them feel safe.

Lining the tank with smooth rocks too large to be swallowed by the snapper or trap the snapper underneath is a good idea. You can seal these to the surface with a waterproof, aquarium sealant. You may also want to think about providing turtle suitable plants, or turtle suitable plastic plants or even some treated driftwood (which can look really nice).

Basking Site

Snappers don’t really bask but they do need to get oxygen and rest. For this reason you should add things like large rocks, logs and other safe items for your turtle to climb on and bask. You could simply get a turtle basking platform to meet this requirement.

Feeding Your Turtle

In the wild snappers tend to eat whatever they can, making it a varied diet.

Your turtle will need that same variation, with babies and juveniles getting fed daily and adults getting a feed every other day.

Over-feeding them will only dirty their tank so try not to feed them more food than about the size of their head (as a general guide). Over time you will get a feel for how much food your turtle tends to require.

When it comes to preparing the diet of your turtle you’ll need to provide lots of varied food types even if you give them a commercial feed.

In captivity zoos will often feed snappers fish, worms, small mammals, age-appropriate commercial feed and raw beef and chicken. Live foods can also be fed to your snapper in the form of shrimp, crickets, minnows, snails, worms and similar animals. Live foods help keep your turtle stimulated and active.

Fruits and veggies like kale and lettuce will also help to boost the diet of your snapper.

Hibernation

Although snapping turtles can hibernate for a short time in the wild it is thought to be a risky practice for snappers in captivity under three. For your turtle’s safety, you can stop it from hibernating by keeping its water at a warmer temperature.

If you do wish to hibernate the turtle wait until it is over three years old and consult your exotic animal veterinarian for advice on how to do it properly. It needs to be done really carefully for the safety of the animal so it is best to seek advice.

Water

As with substrate, the topic of water and alligator snapping turtle enclosures is complex and important. There are guidelines with the salt content, temperature, chemical structure and filtration that need to be carefully assessed before the turtle is purchased.

The same rules for the other elements apply here and will influence the health of the turtle, so it is important to get right before you get your turtle.

The best thing to do is speak to the breeder you’re purchasing from, and consult other experts in regards to your setup as a whole.

Before making your purchase, read as much as possible on caring for turtles to help you get a really good insight into these incredible animals and how to give them a healthy, nurturing environment that ensures that they thrive in your care.

snapping turtle tank

“The turtle’s teachings are so beautiful. So very special. It teaches us that everything you are, everything you need and everything you bring to the world is inside you, not external, and you carry it with you, and are not limited to a place, space or time.” – Eileen Anglin

 

If you’re considering getting an alligator snapping turtle, or common snapping turtle, there’s a lot of work to do to prepare for this tiny little prehistoric cutie’s arrival.

The more research and preparation you do, the more likely your new little alligator snapping turtle is going to be happy, healthy and content in your care.

Be sure to check out My Turtle Shop Here for the essentials you need to help you set up.

Swimming with the Leatherback Turtle

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turtle in the ocean

With what is likely to be one of the most terrifying mouths in nature, the Leatherback Turtle is unfortunately in decline across the world.

OnceSwimming with the Leatherback Turtle prevalent in oceans across the world (apart from the Arctic and Antarctic), many of these turtles fall victim to human activity as well as natural prey.

Often known as the Lute Turtle or Leathery Turtle, the Leatherback turtle is the largest of all living turtles and is only beaten by three crocodile species when comparing reptiles by weight.

Leatherback turtles are easily distinguished from other sea turtle species– the carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh rather than a bony like substance and ridges along the carapace allow these turtles to dive to depths of over 1,200 metres, staying down for up to 85 minutes.

Eating to Grow

Starting out between 15 – 30gms and at just 5 – 7 centimetres long on average at birth, Leatherback turtles end up being the largest sea turtle species across the world.

Fully grown, they can reach lengths of two metres and can weigh up to 900kg. In comparison, the smallest sea turtle is the Olive Ridley or Pacific Ridley which only reaches one metre in length and averages out at 45kg in weight once fully grown.

With large food requirements, the leatherback turtle is always on the search for food. The oesophagus is lined with papillae, sharp, keratinized prongs that allow this species to mainly eat jellyfish and other soft-bodied animals.

These prongs, made from cartilage, line the throat allowing the turtle to grip onto the jellyfish. Without these prongs, as the turtle expels excess water, the jellyfish would slip straight back out. The papillae also help to protect from jellyfish stings while eating.

What begs the question however, is just how such a large animal survives on a jellyfish diet, which is essentially water, and a small amount of protein and fat.

The Leatherback turtle has quite a long oesophagus leading from the mouth through to the back of the body, and then looping up again until it reaches the stomach.

Essentially, it acts as a storage unit, and as food is digested and released, more food enters the stomach; it’s like a never-ending procession of food through the body.


Where will you travel?

Leatherback turtles can be found in almost all oceans in the world and while they feed in temperate waters, their breeding is done in tropical areas.

They are oceanic and it is rare to find one close to shore, particularly here in Australia, unless they are one of the few laying eggs in the Great Barrier Reef region.

It is thought that Leatherback turtles take one of the longest migration routes between breeding areas and feeding areas, with an average of 6,000km each way – that’s just under a return trip between Brisbane and Perth.

Despite feeding in temperate regions and breeding in tropical regions, they have been found in waters with temperatures as low as 4 degrees Celsius (approx. 40 degrees Fahrenheit) and are the only reptile known to remain active at these low water temperatures.

Life as a Leatherback turtle

There are four main subpopulations of the Leatherback turtle found across the world – the Atlantic subpopulation, the Pacific subpopulation, the South China Sea subpopulation and the Indian Ocean subpopulation.

Atlantic Leatherback turtles are found in waters from the North Sea to the Cape of Good Hope, feeding in areas near Quebec and Newfoundland, and nesting in the regions of Trinidad and Tobago, Gabon and Antigua.

The coastline of the Mayumba National Park is home to one of the largest nesting populations with almost 30,000 turtles visiting every year. Small nesting areas are also located on the east coast of Florida, and in Costa Rica.

Pacific Leatherback turtles have two distinct populations, the first nesting on beaches around Indonesia and the Solomon Islands, and feeding in regions such as California, Oregon and Washington to feed.

The other finds food in the regions around South America and nest in Mexico, El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Unfortunately, the Leatherback turtles in the South China Sea region, namely Malaysia, have all but disappeared. In years past there could be up to 10,000 nests in Terengganu, however egg consumption by humans have added to the decline. So far, conservation efforts have failed.

The last sub-population is those living in the Indian Ocean. There is little known about the turtles living in this region, however it is thought that nesting areas are around Sri Lanka and the Nicobar Islands.

The Struggle to Survive  

It is estimated that only one in a thousand hatchlings survive to adulthood and like many other creatures, one of the largest threats to the Leatherback turtle is human activity, and this happens from birth through to old age.

In some areas of the world, turtle eggs are taken from nests to be used as food or aphrodisiacs. They also fall victim to fishing nets and lines, boats and plastic, which is often mistaken for jellyfish. Some Leatherback turtles have been found with almost 5kgs of plastic in their stomachs.

Other predators strike while the iron is hot so to speak, and many hatchlings don’t make it to the water. Fish, dogs, seabirds, crabs, saltwater crocodiles, lizards, dingos and foxes all prey on eggs and hatchlings, while for adult turtles, the main predators are sharks, killer whales and crocodiles.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the population of Pacific Leatherback turtle has declined the most over the last 20 years, with as few as 2,300 adult females thought to remain in the wild; this means the Pacific Leatherback turtle is the more endangered marine turtle population.

It is also thought that the Atlantic population, while currently more stable, will start to decline as fishing increases.

Where can you see the Leatherback Turtle

You’ll find Leatherback turtles in coastal countries across the world. Found in all tropical and subtropical oceans, at times they also extend into the Arctic Circle. From Alaska and Norway through to the southern tip of New Zealand, you may be lucky enough to spot a Leatherback turtle.

There are turtle rookeries along both the Queensland coastline where you may get the rare opportunity to see Leatherback turtles lay eggs and hatch. They have been known to occasionally feed and nest within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and have sporadic nesting points throughout Queensland.

With the Leatherback turtle in decline across the world, developing safe rookeries is essential as is ensuring that items such as plastics are kept out of the water. While natural predators will always be around, there are plenty of steps we can take to ensure the future of these turtles.


Do Sharks Eat Turtles?

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do sharks eat turtles
do sharks eat turtles

Do Sharks Eat Turtles?

If you have ever wondered if sharks attack turtles then you are not alone, this is a question asked many times by many different people.  Sea turtles are very long-lived in the ocean some of them growing to an age of over 60 years old, and they have very few predators in the bug blue.

They are also known to be some of the best-armored animals in the ocean, with their big shells giving them a large amount of protection. On the other hand, sharks are carnivores that will eat seemingly anything that moves in the ocean, they have been known to eat almost anything they can get their teeth into.

Most sharks will attack injured or recently dead prey to get a meal but they will also attack live prey if they have the right opportunity to do so. Some sharks, like hammerhead sharks, even have sensors in their nose to discover hidden prey like fish and crabs under the sand.

They can sense the tiny electrical pulses in their muscles to find their prey. So it would seem that if they have such specific tools to find their prey they would have some ways to attack turtles.

Sharks do attack turtles from time to time. There have been several documented sightings of sharks that have attacked turtles.

turtle attacked by a shark

How Do Sea Turtles Protect Themselves?

Green Sea Turtles and Leatherback sea turtles do have some excellent protection from attackers though. Their large shell protects all the vital parts of their body and is much too thick for even the biggest sharks to bite through.

Giving them a large amount of protection around their body. Unfortunately, their protection is not complete and their flippers extend from their shell and can be attacked by sharks.

This is a sea turtle’s greatest weakness and if a turtle is attacked in this way it can cause a turtle to die simply due to excessive blood loss from a bite wound

Doing tricks to avoid being eaten.

Turtles have been known to even perform some interesting underwater moves to avoid being eaten. When a turtle is aware that a great white shark wants to eat them they will turn on their side to make it very difficult for the shark to bit them.

This is usually enough to make a great white turn tail and leave in search of an easier meal. Recently, some fishermen saw a great white shark that had tried exactly this. A great white shark had attacked a turtle, but in the process of biting the turtle, it had gotten stuck in the shark’s mouth. 

Sharks not having any way of removing something from their mouth continued to swim around for a while but sharks require a constant flow of water over their gills to breathe and having the turtle in its mouth would have restricted this flow a lot. Enough to ultimately suffocate the huge beast.

turtle in the ocean

What about other predators?

Orcas or Killer whales have also been known to prey on turtles, but these are the few predators fully grown turtles have to worry about. Baby turtles have a whole range of predators, lizards, dingos, rats, and even foxes attacking the next before they hatch are most common before they make it to the sea. 

But even once they make it into the ocean, while they are small  They are still prey for a lot of other creatures like sea birds, and other bigger predators of the ocean. Only about 10% of turtle hatchlings make it to adult size. Despite them having inbuilt armor.

Conclusion to Do Sharks Eat Turtles?

While turtles are very well protected as adults they do still get attacked and yes sharks and other predators will try to eat them from time to time. But these attacks are not very common as sharks would prefer something a bit easier to eat. 

Turtle eggs and babies on the other hand are attacked very easily and most baby turtles don’t make it to adult life in the wild. This is very sad for such beautiful and peaceful animals like turtles.

Steph Copeland

Author: Steph Copeland

Bio: I am a marine expert that has a passion for sharks and the preservation of the oceans. SharkDefence.com

Turtles Life Cycle

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Sea Turtle Life Cycle

Sea Turtle Life Cycle

A turtle’s life cycle begins as the mother turtle lays her eggs. Sea turtles lay their eggs on a nesting beach.

Tortoises and other types of turtles lay their eggs in a similar way at a site the mother chooses.

One a baby turtle hatches from its egg it makes its way to the water. Once in the water the baby turtle faces many dangers.

Those who survive the many dangers of predatory birds and fish then make their way into the sea. Turtle’s are themselves predators. Read our article what do turtles eat to find out more about a turtle’s diet.

Sea Turtle Life Cycle

Sea Turtle Life Cycle – From Baby To Juvenile Turtle

The baby turtles who survive to become juveniles will disappear into the ocean for about 10 years. Nobody knows exactly where they go and what they do.

As a juvenile turtle, there is much foraging to be done. Juvenile turtles spend lots of time actively searching out food and exploring large expanses.

 

Turtle Life Cycle – Adulthood

When a turtle is ready (usually between 10 – 50 years old) it will migrate to a breeding area. There the turtle will find a mate.

Female turtles will then come ashore to lay their eggs in a suitable area. Most often, a female turtle will come to the exact same beach where they themselves were born. Nobody knows how they remember to find their way back.

Turtle Life Cycle – Life Span & Predators

Turtles are thought to live around 100 years in the wild ocean. The biggest threat they face is humans. Since larger turtles have large, tough shells they are not an altogether easy target for most animal predators.

Most animals which prey on turtles are land-dwellers. These include foxes, dogs, birds, raccoons, crabs and lizards. Although turtles also have to be careful of sharks and killer whales as they will also make an easy meal out of them.

We hope we’ve covered everything to do with a turtle life cycle and more in this article.

Painted Turtle Pet – What To Feed A Painted Turtle

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What To Feed A Painted Turtle Pet

What To Feed A Painted Turtle Pet

Painted Turtles Have Beautiful Colors And Markings

The painted turtle is small reptile that has a shell or carapace with various colors. Some species have red or yellow running through their carapace.

Their legs and neck are dark, with a colored striped tail and yellow eyes. The male painted turtle are known to be smaller and flatter than the female counterpart.

The painted turtle are diurnal species, which means that they are active mainly in the day.

What To Feed A Painted Turtle PetPainted turtle spend most of their time in the night sleeping in the water however some painted turtle have been discovered to be active at night.

Painted turtle become very active when we have sunrise and spend their time in the water and on rocks.

Painted turtle are omnivorous, which mean they feed both on plant and animals.

The male painted turtle reaches maturity between 4 to 6 years. While the female becomes mature from 6 to 10 years. The main predators of the painted turtle are man, bird and snakes.

 

Painted Turtle Habitat

What To Feed A Painted Turtle Pet

Painted turtle are prevalent in North America and are one of the most common turtle species in United States and Canada.  They have also been discovered in European and Asian nations.

Painted turtle prefer shallow water and dense vegetation. They are found around freshwater environments and are also present in brackish waters. Painted turtle can also survive in polluted waters.

 

Painted Turtle Size

Apart from their beautiful color, another aspect of painted turtle is their manageable adult size.

The adult western painted turtle grow up to six inches, while the south painted turtle are more than six inches.

Those painted turtle found in the East are between 6 and 7 inches. The male painted turtle is not as big as the female.

 

How Long Do Painted Turtles Live?

Painted turtle have a long life span, and are recorded to live up to 50 years in captivity. So they are a long time companion as a pet.

If feed and kept in a good environment you can expect your painted turtle to live up to 30 years. The life span needs to be considered when getting a painted turtle as a pet.


Painted Turtle Pet Habitat

Proper lighting and temperature are crucial for maintaining your turtle in good health.

The house should be between 70-90F, and the water temperature may be between 63-76F degrees.  Check measuring tank thermometers and humidity daily will be a good choice in maintaining their body temperature.

Expect to replace the UVB lamp for basking area every six months.

 

What To Feed A Painted Turtle

Since they are omnivorous, painted turtles enjoy a wide variety of foods. Painted turtle food needs to be provided with it’s nutritional needs in mind. You can supplement the basic foods below with turtle treats

But nothing is as good for your turtle as natural foods, such as worms, insects, fish and vegetables, especially leafy greens.

In the wild young painted turtles mainly consume plants until they get older. Ask your veterinarian about providing calcium and vitamins for your pet turtle.

Find a veterinarian specializing in exotic species to care for your pet. It is unlikely that a normal dog and cat veterinarian can treat your painted turtle.

 

What To Feed A Painted Turtle Pet

Painted Turtle Diseases

Turtles are prone to eye disorders, conjunctivitis, and corneal ulceration. Subcutaneous abscesses are another common problem with painted turtle; appearing as swelling of the skin.

In case your painted turtle is not eating well or breathing slowly, go to your veterinary doctor will be a wise choice. Your doctor will take a fecal sample to ensure that your painted turtle have doesn’t intestinal parasites.

When keeping a painted turtle ensure that it is in a suitable aquarium with an adequate lamp for heating. Direct sunlight is preferred.

Make sure you have a cooler place so the painted turtle can take shelter if desired. Furthermore, the housing must be safe, that is to say, that the turtle will not escape.

A painted turtle will require good quality water as dirty water can lead to various diseases and infections. An aquarium pump is necessary. Painted turtles cannot be let loose in the house or garden.


The Difference Between Turtle And Tortoise And Terrapins

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Difference Between Turtle And Tortoise And Terrapins

Difference Between Turtle And Tortoise And Terrapins

Turtle, Tortoise or Terrapins?

What’s the difference between turtle and tortoise and terrapins?

We’ve all heard the terms used, and there are many people who use these terms interchangeably; but while there certainly are similarities, there are many differences.

 

What Are The Similarities?

Let’s start with the similarities. All turtles, tortoises and terrapins are reptiles, and they all fall under the same classification – Testudines.

All three are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature is based on the temperature of the air or water surrounding them.

They all lay eggs, they all breathe air and they all have scales and shells. But this is where the similarities start to end.

Difference Between Turtle And Tortoise And Terrapins

If these basics are all similar, why the three different names? The difference comes in the habitat and the diet of the reptile, as well as the shape of its shell.

There may also be a difference in the names where you live. In the USA, all members of the Chelonian family are called turtles.

In the UK and most of Europe, the word terrapin is used when talking about freshwater turtles and the word turtle in used when talking about sea turtles.

In Australia, both sea and freshwater varieties are known as turtles.


 

Differences Between Turtle And Tortoise And Terrapins

Starting with the basics, turtles spend most of their lives in water, including freshwater and saltwater.

Tortoises spend all their time on land with some living thousands of kilometres from major water sources.

Terrapins are the crossover between the two, with their habitats divided between marshy, brackish waters and land.

This is however where it can get a little confusing if you just happen across a turtle (or is it a terrapin) out of the water?

You’ll find both turtles and terrapins will leave the water to bask in the sun, using rocks, logs, sand and other surfaces to get the most of the warm sunlight.

 

Turtle, Tortoise And Terrapin Habitats

As we’ve mentioned above, tortoises live mainly on dry land, and you’ll find them in hot, dry areas such as parts of North America, Mediterranean Europe and Asia.

Sea turtles spend much of their life at sea, only coming ashore to lay eggs and can be found all over the world.

Terrapins, or freshwater turtles, live in brackish or freshwater creeks, lakes and ponds across the world. They may be found in stagnant or flowing waterways

 

Check Out Those Feet…Difference Between Turtle And Tortoise And Terrapins

Turtles and terrapins have webbed feet helping them swim, while sea turtles have feet that are like flippers helping them glide through the water.

The feet of a tortoise however are very different. Their feet are stumpy, helping them walk long distances across land – you won’t see tortoises swimming with feet like these!

Their front legs are used to dig, while for freshwater turtles and terrapins, they often tear apart food with their claws.

 

Turtle Facts

  • Often referred to as sea turtlesDifference Between Turtle And Tortoise And Terrapins
  • Live in oceans across the world
  • Only access land to lay eggs
  • Streamlined, flatter shell to help with gliding through the water
  • Flippers instead of legs
  • Grow up to almost 2 metres

Many species are omnivorous, enjoying seaweed and algae as well as smaller prey. The Leatherback turtle eats jellyfish regularly.

 

Tortoise Facts

  • Live on dry landDifference Between Turtle And Tortoise And Terrapins
  • Live in hot, dry climates
  • Tortoises in areas with colder winters may hibernate
  • Domed shell
  • Stubby legs for walking
  • Don’t swim
  • Can vary in size from 25cm through to over 1 metre
  • Almost entirely vegetarian however some may eat a small amount of meat

 

Terrapin Facts

Difference Between Turtle And Tortoise And Terrapins

  • Live in freshwater rivers, creeks and ponds, both stagnant and flowing
  • Flatter shell to help with swimming
  • Legs with webbed feet and claws
  • Good climbers and will climb riverbanks to bask
  • Grow to the size of a dinner plate
  • Can live up to 50 years
  • Most species in Australia are omnivorous eating weed, small fish, small crustaceans and berries. Others are carnivorous, only eating fish, shrimp, crayfish and the like.

It is easy to mistake turtles and terrapins, especially when you’re in a country that calls them all turtles!

While turtles and terrapins have their similarities, they also have their differences, namely their habitat, the amount of time they spend out of the water and the food they eat.

Tortoises are of course quite different.

 

So, what’s the easiest way to remember who is who in the turtle world?

Turtles are often referred to as sea turtles and only leave the water to lay eggs.

Terrapins live in the water, however will leave the water to lay eggs and bask in the sun, as well as to move from space to space.

Tortoises live on land and spend their time on land – they don’t swim, they don’t hunt and have a majority vegetarian diet.

There is always some confusion as to what a turtle, terrapin and tortoise is, and with different names between each country, this confusion is understandable.


How Long Do Green Sea Turtles Live

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How Long Do Green Sea Turtles Live

How Long Do Green Sea Turtles LiveHow Long Do Green Sea Turtles Live

Green sea turtles Live to over 80 years in the wild. The green sea turtle is also known around the world as the green turtle, the black sea turtle or the Pacific green turtle.

From 5cm at birth to 1.5m fully grown, green sea turtles are the second largest of the sea turtles behind leatherback turtles.

The name however doesn’t come from the colour of their shell, which is generally olive to black in colour; these turtles are named after the fat that lays underneath the carapace which has a green hue.

Migrating long distances from feeding grounds to hatching areas, green sea turtles are listed as endangered or threatened in many countries.

This often due to human activity such as being hunted for food, pollution and being caught in fishing nets.

They often suffer from habitat loss in areas due to growing real estate development taking over their traditional nesting grounds.

 

Green Sea Turtle BreedingGreen Sea Turtle Breeding

The green sea turtle generally live 80 or more years in the wild, and can take anywhere between 20 – 50 years to reach sexual maturity.

This means a female green sea turtle may not lay her first clutch of eggs until she is 35 or older.

While male turtles can breed every year, the females only breed every three to five years.

The green sea turtle can lay anywhere between 75 – 200 eggs in each clutch, and can lay numerous clutches before leaving the nesting areas.

Eggs take around two months to hatch and then make their way to the sea. Like any other sea turtle, only a percentage make their way to the ocean, and only a small percentage make it to being an adult.

Juvenile Green Sea Turtles

What Do Juvenile Green Sea Turtles Eat?

Juvenile green sea turtles tend to be omnivores and eat a wide variety of plants and animals. Such as insects, crustaceans, seagrasses and sea worms.

On the other hand adult green sea turtles eat seagrass and algae. Adults are herbivores and spend their eating hours cropping the seagrasses and eating algae. With a serrated jaw, they are more suited to the vegetarian lifestyle.

Australian Geographic notes that in 2011 scientists started using satellite tags to follow the movements of two young green turtles in the waters off Port Stephens in NSW.

It was found that, along with foraging, nesting and migrating in the tropical regions of northern Australia, young turtles drift into more temperate waters to take advantage of feeding on seagrass and invertebrates.

Interestingly, green sea turtles nest on the very same beaches they themselves hatched on years earlier.

Green Sea Turtle Predators

Green sea turtles have predators no matter how old they are. The main predator for adults are large sharks, particularly tiger sharks. Killer whales are also known to predate on green sea turtles.

For hatchlings and eggs, the predator list grows – fish, dogs, birds, ghost crabs, lizards and more.

It has been estimated that the rate for baby green sea turtles to make it to adulthood is 1 in 1000.

 

Living Near Rookeries

If you live near a turtle hatching area, anywhere in the world, it’s important to know when your local nesting and hatching seasons are.

One of the biggest threats, especially to hatchlings, is light. Hatchlings use the light of the moon to guide the way to the water. And the light from buildings near the nesting areas, can distract the hatchlings and they start to crawl away from the water, making them more susceptible to predators.

Other major factors when it comes to green sea turtle deaths are by-catch by trawlers, marine debris and pollution, disease, strikes and cuts from boats and propellers, hunting, and changes in the temperatures between nesting beaches and marine habitat.

 

How Long Do Green Sea Turtles Live

 

Green Sea Turtle Breeding & Rookeries

Green sea turtles are threatened the world over and there are only a few large nesting populations left.

Here in Australia we have some of the largest nesting areas in the region for many marine turtle species including the green sea turtle.

Green sea turtles make their habitat around coral reefs that are rich in seaweed and near seagrass pastures in tropical and subtropical regions.

The main population of green sea turtles in Australia occur in the southern Great Barrier Reef, the northern Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea, the Gulf of Carpentaria, the north-west shelf of Western Australia, Ashmore Reef, Cartier Reef and Scott Reef.

Major rookeries (or nesting areas) in Australia occur in the Southern Great Barrier Reef area. Nesting and hatching occurs from mid-October through to early-April with the peak being in late December through to early January.

Places such as Mon Repos near Bundaberg offer the potential to see nesting and hatching green sea turtles.

 

Where To See Green Sea Turtles

There’s numerous places to see green sea turtles right here in Australia and across the world. In Queensland, try Heron Island, Mon Repos; in Western Australia try Ningaloo Reef; while in the Northern Territory, Bare Sand Island is a popular location.

Where To See Green Sea Turtles

According to the Department of Environment and Energy, Western Australia has one of the largest remaining green sea turtle populations in the world, estimated to be in the tens of thousands.

The Lacepede Islands in Westerns Australia are one of the most critical nesting areas, supporting the largest green sea turtle rookeries in the state.

In the United States, you will find green sea turtles on the Hawaiian islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida’s east coast. Other areas include Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina along the Atlantic coast

In 2016 ABC reported on the Raine Island Recovery Project – raising the height of a remote, inaccessible to the public island off the far north coast of Queensland to help save the nesting site for thousands of turtles.

This island, located about 620km north-east of Cairns, is the nesting ground for approximately 60,000 green sea turtles each year, and researchers have been reshaping sections of the beach to help protect the breeding grounds, as well as keeping the island safe for green sea turtles.

Through conservation efforts such as the Raine Island Recovery Project it is hoped that the number of green sea turtle hatchlings increase in the coming years.

Green sea turtles play an important part in the marine world and there are plenty of ways you can get on board to help conserve this species across the world.


How Many Leatherback Turtles Are Left In The World?

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How Many Leatherback Turtles Are Left In The World?

How Many Leatherback Turtles Are Left In The World?

Leatherback turtles

Leatherback turtles are a species of turtle characterized by their lack of a bony shell and their distinct large size.

Leatherback turtles are in fact so large that they are listed as the fourth heaviest reptile behind three species of crocodile. They have been known to weigh up to 900 kg and grow up to 1.6 metres.

The turtle’s name emanates from the leathery texture of its carapace which is in other species a hard, bony shell.

Leatherback turtles’ conservation status is classified as “Vulnerable.” Their bodies have perhaps what is described as the most hydrodynamic body shape that resembles a large teardrop.

Their anatomy closely resembles other species of turtles in that they have flattened forelimbs that are specially adapted for swimming in open ocean waters.

The front flippers are distinctly larger with claws being absent on both front and back flippers.

Leatherback turtles are also listed among the deepest diving marine-dwelling animals known to man.

It is worth mentioning that leatherback turtles’ diet mainly consists of jellyfish and other soft-bodied marine animals. Find more on what leatherback turtles eat here.

So how many leatherback turtles are left in the world and what are the threats to leatherback turtles? Let’s discuss these among other concerns related to this species of giant turtle below.

 

How Many Leatherback Turtles Are Left In The World?

Populations of leatherback turtles are distributed between four distinct zones. These are;

  • Pacific Ocean
  • Indian Ocean
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • South China Sea


 

The Pacific Ocean Leatherback Turtle Population

Leatherback turtle Pacific populations are spread in the region between Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, parts of the Northern Hemisphere which include North America.

Other areas where leatherback turtles nest are the West coast of the South American continent, and parts of the southern hemisphere.

Australian leatherback turtles nest along the Queensland coast from Bundaberg to the tip of Arnhem land. These rookeries have always been small and have dwindled in numbers recently all along the QLD coast in Australia.

Experts estimate around two thousand three hundred adult females in the Pacific region.

How Many Leatherback Turtles Are Left In The World?

The Indian Ocean Leatherback Turtle Population

While little research has been conducted on leatherback turtles dwelling in the Indian Ocean, marine life conservationists assert that the Indian Ocean population is genetically distinct from the rest of the species.

 

The Atlantic Ocean Leatherback Turtle Population

It is estimated that leatherback turtle numbers are higher in the Atlantic region thanks to an abundance of jellyfish; their primary prey.

Their range covers the region off the Canadian coast, to Costa Rica and the biggest leatherback nesting site in Gabon.

The latter plays host to over 30,000 leatherback turtles each year between the months of October and April.

 

The South China Sea Leatherback Turtle Population

Other suspected leatherback turtle nesting sites are located within the South China Sea region mainly Malaysia.

The region was once considered to be the world’s biggest nesting site, but consumption of turtle eggs has led to their steady decline.

 

Threats To Leatherback Turtle Populations

Leatherback turtles similar to other species of turtle are at their most vulnerable after hatching.

In their early life stages, leatherback turtles are vulnerable to predation by shorebirds, crabs and small mammals.

Hatchlings that manage to reach the water face the threat of predation by fish and other predatory marine life.

Adult leatherback turtles have only the threat of being eaten by large sharks. Mainly the tiger shark.

The reason for this is that their flesh has too much fat and oil making it unpalatable.

Human Threats Leatherback Turtles

The biggest threats to leatherback turtles are however related to human activities.

Pollution, accidental catches, and entanglement in fishing nets are the most deadly threats to leatherback turtles.

Ingestion of plastic bags has also been known to be fatal as it causes intestinal blockage and malabsorption.

The loss of breeding rookeries from developments and erosion of beaches from developments in the area which affect the tides.

 

How We Can Reduce The Decline Of Leatherback Turtle Numbers

Humans are the number one cause for the decline of how many leatherback turtles are left in the world. It is up to everybody to stop polluting the land and waterways. It is very easy for plastics on land to end up in the oceans of the world.

How Many Leatherback Turtles Are Left In The World?The protection of rookeries will assist in the leatherback turtle numbers to start rising. This includes the human consumption of eggs.

It is our responsibility to reverse the effects we have caused and to protect this magical species of turtle.