Guest
Guest
Jul 24, 2025
1:43 AM
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I recently came across the term testudine while reading about reptiles, and it turns out it’s a fancy name for one of the most familiar creatures on Earth—turtles, tortoises, and terrapins! Pretty cool, right?
Testudines is the scientific order that includes all of these shelled reptiles. While we usually just say "turtle" in everyday life, the word testudine is used to describe the whole group.
So what makes them special? Let’s go over some of the main characteristics of testudines in a simple way:
Hard Shell – This is their most obvious feature! Their shell is actually part of their skeleton and protects them from predators.
Beaked Mouths – They don’t have teeth, but their sharp beaks help them cut and chew plants or small animals, depending on the species.
Slow Movers – Most testudines are known for their slow, steady movement—especially tortoises.
Long Lifespan – Some species can live well over 100 years, which is amazing!
Lay Eggs on Land – Even sea turtles come back to land to lay their eggs in the sand.
Another fun fact: Testudines have been around for over 200 million years! They’re like living fossils, surviving through all kinds of changes on Earth.
Whether you’re into nature, evolution, or just love turtles, learning about testudines is a great way to appreciate how unique and resilient these creatures really are.
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