Indiana Turtle Care
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Facts

* The first known turtles existed 200 million years ago.

* There are approximately 300 species of turtles.

* Turtles live on every continent except Antarctica. 

*  Turtles are cold-blooded.  One way they regulate their temperature is by basking.

*  Some turtles, such as the Musk turtle, emit an odor when startled.

*  Not all turtles and tortoises hibernate.

*  The blood of hibernating turtles acts somewhat like antifreeze, allowing it to tolerate cold        temperatures.  

* Some female turtles produce eggs four years after mating.

*  Many species make sound, especially while mating.

*  Incubation temperature determines the sex of the hatchling.

* All turtles lay their eggs on land.

* Hatching turtles have an egg tooth at the end of their beak to help open  the egg.

* Some land turtles can out run a human.

* The smallest turtle, the Speckled Padloper is 4".  The largest is the Leatherback sea turtle, that can
   reach up to 10' in length.

*  Turtle shells DO break.

*  The color and patterns of each species allows them to blend into their natural environment.

*  Turtles can regrow bony and keratin tissue.

*  Not all turtles have hard shells.  For example, Softshell turtles and sea turtles have flexible shells.

*  Box turtles are not the only turtles with a hinge to allow part of their shell to move.

* Turtle shells are built into their skeleton.

* The top shell, the carapace, is made up of approximately 50 bones.

* Counting the growth rings on the scutes (scales) of the top shell does not tell the age of the turtle or tortoise.

* Some turtles have hinges on their shells to enable them to close up tightly inside.

* Turtles cannot protrude their tongues from their mouths.

* Aquatic turtles have streamlined shells to help them move through the water. They also have webbing between
   their toes.

*  Aquatic turtles must be in water to eat.

* Tortoises only go to water to drink.  They do not swim.

*  Some tortoises can dig burrows 45 feet long.

*  Many turtles are expert climbers.

*  Land turtles ears are sensitive to ground vibration. 

* A group of turtles is classically called a bale.

*  One of the most common health problems is MBD, Metabolic Bone Disease, caused by improper diet and care.

*  All turtles and tortoises do not have the same habitat and nutritional requirements.  Therefore,  it is very
    important to research  the kind of animal you have or plan to own.

* Turtles have good eyesight, seeing in full color and a strong sense of smell.  They have excellent hearing and
   sense of touch.  Their shells have feeling due to nerve endings. 

*  Instead of teeth, turtles have a sharp beak for eating.  Depending on species, the beak may be scissor-like,
    hook-like, or serrated.   The earliest turtles did have teeth and could not retract their head.

* Some turtles can live up to a year without food.

*  Tortoises from dry environments have thick scales on the skin to prevent fluid evaporation.  Aquatic and
    semi-aquatic turtles have thinner skin and lack heavy scales. 

*  Turtles shed their skin in small flakes rather than pieces like other reptiles.

* Sea turtles can swim up to 35 mile per hour.

* Several species, including the American Box turtle, can live to be over 100 years old.

* One documented case of longevity is of an adult Indian Ocean Giant Tortoise.  After being captured and
   estimated to be 50 years old, it lived another 152 years in captivity.


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