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 …

Jun 12, 2026 · A turtle’s shell is typically made of 50 to 60 bones arranged into a dorsal, domed carapace and a ventral, flat plastron. 3 The latter is an assemblage of bones from the sternum, …

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 …

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 …

Tortoises (/ ˈtɔːrtəs.ɪz / TOR-təs-iz) are reptiles of the family Testudinidae of the order Testudines (Latin for "tortoise"). Like other testudines, tortoises have a shell to protect from predation and other …

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.

Green sea turtles are the world’s largest species of hard-shelled sea turtle. While most individuals weigh about 300 to 400 pounds (136 to 181 kilograms), some can be as heavy as 440 pounds (204 …

Feb 15, 2019 · Sea turtles have existed since the time of the dinosaurs. Find out about the ancient mariners' oldest known ancestor, how certain adaptations may have helped...

May 11, 2026 · Turtle - Adaptations, Habitats, Lifespan: Turtles have adapted to a remarkable variety of environments, but the greatest number of species occurs in southeastern North America and South …

Dec 13, 2025 · Explore 40 types of wild turtles with detailed identification, habitats, and behaviors. A complete guide for turtle enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.