Types Of Turtles
There are over 300 types of turtles in the world today. All are under the genus of reptile, although many mistakenly believe they could be considered amphibians as well. While there are certain resemblances between different types of turtles, there are a number of differences between them as well.
With so many types of turtles, it is probably not surprising that not all of them would be suitable for pets. When choosing one for a pet, it is helpful to know the different types. Most turtles can be grouped in one of two distinctions: water turtles and land dwellers. Many turtles are semi-aquatic, meaning that they can spend equal time in either water or on land.
Not all turtles have the hard shell we commonly associate with the reptile. Some types of turtles called “leatherbacks” have instead a covering of a thin, rubbery skin that is tough and resilient. The leathery shell is fortified with small bone plates which give it the leathery appearance. Leatherbacks are sea turtles that can be found just about anywhere in the world, and are able to withstand the coldest temperatures of all the turtle species.
Some types of turtles are herbivores, meaning that they eat only plant life. Tortoises fit under this category, with most tortoise species having diets that are exclusively plants. Other turtles are carnivorous, or meat eaters. Most aquatic turtles will primarily eat meat, fitting into the class of carnivores, with diet of insects and smaller frogs, adding approximately 20% of vegetation to round out their diets. The vegetation can include fruits, vegetables and various greens. Omnivores are those which balance their diets equally between meat and vegetation, and include most semi-aquatic turtle species.
Turtles also come in many variations of color. Where a few types of turtles, such as the Painted Turtle and the Red Eared Slider, are colorful in appearance, there is only one turtle that is green. It is aptly named the Green Turtle; a sea turtle that is a complete herbivore. The color comes from a green layer of fat beneath its shell.
The most popular types of turtles kept as pets are the Box Turtle, Sliders, Water Turtles and Mud Turtles. Snapping turtles also rank high among preferred pets but are generally picked up from the side of a road or near a pond or lake rather than offered at a pet store.
When keeping a turtle as a pet, there are a few things to know about the characteristics that are common to all types of turtles. First, turtles are extremely sensitive to sudden bright lights, excessive noises and vibrations. They are also very docile, and do not enjoy being handled. Consider a turtle to be a pet that is best enjoyed visually. And lastly, all types of turtles are content to be alone, so it is unnecessary to provide playmates.
It would be easy for someone to think that one turtle is just the same as another turtle, but there are both differences and similarities between the various types of turtles.