Turtles are one of the oldest living reptiles. They are known to roam the Earth for more than 200 million years. They have survived mass extinction and evolved alongside dinosaurs.
Female turtles are capable of laying hundreds of eggs during nesting season. They often dig nests on sandy beaches. This is a reproductive strategy that increases the chance that some hatchling survive the natural threats.
Turtles can hold their breath underwater for hours by slowing their heart rate and metabolism. This allows them to stay submerged during long dives or while resting.
In many turtle species, the temperature at which eggs incubate determines the sex of the hatchlings. Warmer nest temperatures produce females while cooler temperatures result in males. It helps balance the population dynamics.
Sea turtles have an ability to detect the Earth's magnetic field. This sense helps them travel thousands of miles across oceans with accuracy. It also helps them identify their geographic location and return back to the exact beaches where they were born to lay eggs.
Turtles don't have teeth like mammals or reptiles. They have strong beaks made of keratin that helps them cut, crush, and tear food.
Turtles maintain the balance of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. They control the population of jellyfish and maintain seagrass beds which is vital for marine biodiversity and carbon storage They also assist seed dispersal and help recycle nutrients by feeding on dead plants and animals.
Even before breaking out of their shells, turtle hatchlings communicate with one another through soft vocalisations and vibrations. This helps them synchronise their hatching and ensure they all emerge from the nest at the same time.
Turtles lack external ears but that doesn't make them deaf. They have internal ear structures covered by thin skin and bone, which allows them to detect vibrations and low-frequency sounds.