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 …

Apr 19, 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 …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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

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?

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: …

Jul 27, 2025 · Turtles are some of the most fascinating reptiles on Earth, found across oceans, rivers, lakes, grasslands, forests, and even deserts. With hard protective shells and slow, steady …

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.