How many species of turtle are there?
Turtle
In February 2011, the Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group published a report about the top 25 species of turtles most likely to become extinct, with a further 40 species at very high risk of becoming extinct. This list excludes sea turtles, however, both the leatherback and the Kemp's ridley would make the top 25 list. The report is due to be updated in four years time allowing to follow the evolution of the list. Between 48 and 54% of all 328 of their species considered threatened, turtles and tortoises are at a much higher risk of extinction than many other vertebrates. Of the 263 species of freshwater and terrestrial turtles, 117 species are considered Threatened, 73 are either Endangered or Critically Endangered and 1 is Extinct. Of the 58 species belonging to the family Testudinidae, 33 species are Threatened, 18 are either Endangered or Critically Endangered, 1 is Extinct in the wild and 7 species are Extinct. 71% of all tortoise species are either gone or almost gone. Asian species are the most endangered, closely followed by the five endemic species from Madagascar. Turtles face many threats, including habitat destruction, harvesting for consumption, and the pet trade. The high extinction risk for Asian species is primarily due to the long-term unsustainable exploitation of turtles and tortoises for consumption and traditional Chinese medicine, and to a lesser extent for the international pet trade.
Marine conservation
In 2004, the Marine Turtle Specialist Group (MTSG), from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), ran an assessment which determined that green turtles were globally endangered. Population decline in ocean basins is indicated through data collected by the MTSG that analyzes abundance and historical information on the species. This data examined the global population of green turtles at 32 nesting sites, and determined that over the last 100–150 years there has been a 48–65 percent decrease in the number of mature nesting females. The Kemp's ridley sea turtle population fell in 1947 when 33,000 nests, which accounted for 80 percent of the population, were collected and sold by villagers in Racho Nuevo, Mexico. In the early 1960s only 5,000 individuals were left, and between 1978 and 1991, 200 Kemp's Ridley Turtles nested annually. In 2015, the World Wildlife Fund and "National Geographic Magazine" named the Kemp's ridley the most endangered sea turtle in the world, with 1000 females nesting annually.
Fauna of the United States
There are many reptiles in the islands, including five species of geckos, eight species of skinks and two species of snakes: the Pacific boa and the Australoasian blindsnake. The marine life is magnificent and much concentrated around the colorful coral reefs. The Samoan ocean is a home to sea turtles as hawksbill sea turtle, olive ridley sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle and the green sea turtle. Five species of dolphins live in the area: spinner dolphin, rough-toothed dolphin, bottlenose dolphin, pantropical spotted dolphin and striped dolphin.
Fauna of Australia
The Australian coast is visited by six species of sea turtle: the flatback, green sea, hawksbill, olive ridley, loggerhead and the leatherback sea turtles; all are protected in Australian waters. There are 35 species of Australian freshwater turtles from eight genera of the family Chelidae. The pig-nosed turtle is the only Australian turtle not of that family. Australia is the only continent without any living species of land tortoise.
Australia is the only continent where venomous snakes outnumber their non-venomous cousins. Australian snakes belong to seven families. Of these, the most venomous species, including the fierce snake, eastern brown snake, taipan and eastern tiger snake are from the family Elapidae. Of the 200 species of elapid, 86 are found only in Australia. Thirty-three sea snakes from family Hydrophiidae inhabit Australia's northern waters; many are extremely venomous. Two species of sea snake from the Acrochordidae also occur in Australian waters. Australia has only 11 species from the world's most significant snake family Colubridae; none are endemic, and they are considered to be relatively recent arrivals from Asia. There are 15 python species and 31 species of insectivorous blind snake.
There are more than 700 species of lizards in Australia with representatives of five families. There are over 130 species in 20 genera of gecko found throughout the Australian continent. The Pygopodidae is a family of limbless lizards endemic to the Australian region; all 39 species from seven genera occur in Australia. The Agamidae or dragon lizards are represented by 70 species in 14 genera, including the thorny devil, bearded dragon and frill-necked lizard. There are 30 species of monitor lizard, family Varanidae, in Australia, where they are commonly known as goannas. The largest Australian monitor is the perentie, which can reach up to 2 m in length. There are about 450 species of skink from more than 40 genera, comprising more than 50% of the total Australian lizard fauna; this group includes the blue-tongued lizards.
List of reptiles of Kansas
Kansas is home to fifteen species of turtles.
St. Brandon
In 2010, a survey of seabirds and turtles of St Brandon was undertaken. "We estimated that 1 084 191 seabirds comprising seven breeding species and excluding non-breeders were present at the archipelago and we counted 279 turtle tracks and nesting pits of green turtles "Chelonia mydas". Hawksbill turtles "Eretmochelys imbricata" were also present. Analyses of 30 different islets that make up the atoll showed that the seabird species mostly partitioned their use of islets based on islet size, with four species preferring larger islets and two species preferring smaller islets. Alien species introduced historically are still present and other threats, such as shipwrecks, remain. We propose conservation and other measures that should adequately protect the birds, turtles and coral reef by treating the atoll as a system."
Andaman Sea
The sea waters along the Malay Peninsula favor molluscan growth, and there are about 280 edible fish species belonging to 75 families. Of those, 232 species (69 families) are found in mangroves and 149 species (51 families) reside in seagrass; so 101 species are common to both habitats. The sea also hosts many vulnerable fauna species, including dugong ("Dugong dugon"), several dolphin species, such as Irrawaddy Dolphin ("Orcaella brevirostris") and four species of sea turtles: critically endangered leatherback turtle ("Dermochelys coriacea") and hawksbill turtle (Eletmochelys imbricata) and threatened green turtle ("Chelonia mydas") and Olive Ridley turtle ("Lepidochelys olivacea"). There are only about 150 dugongs in the Andaman Sea, scattered between Ranong and Satun Provinces. These species are sensitive to the degradation of seagrass meadows.
Sea turtle
Sea turtles, along with other turtles and tortoises, are part of the order Testudines. All species except the leatherback are in the family Cheloniidae. The leatherback is the only extant member of the family Dermochelyidae.
Turtling (hunting)
In Australia it is estimated that 326 turtles from 6 different species, including the Flatback sea turtle ("Narator depressa") accounting for 59% of captures, and the hawksbill sea turtle accounting for 5%, were captured between 1989 and 1990.
Spratly Islands
A total of 2,927 marine species have been recorded in the Spratly Sea, including 776 benthic species, 382 species of hard coral, 524 species of marine fish, 262 species of algae and sea grass, 35 species of seabirds, and 20 species of marine mammals and sea turtles. Terrestrial vegetation in the islands includes 103 species of vascular plants of magnolia branches (Magnoliophyta) of 39 families and 79 genera. The islands that do have vegetation provide important habitats for many seabirds and sea turtles. Both the green turtle ("Chelonia mydas", endangered) and the hawksbill turtle ("Eretmochelys imbricata", critically endangered) formerly occurred in numbers sufficient to support commercial exploitation. These species reportedly continue to nest even on islands inhabited by military personnel (such as Pratas) to some extent, though it is believed that their numbers have declined.
Saint Barthélemy
Marine mammals are many, such as the dolphins, porpoises and whales, which are seen here during the migration period from December till May. Turtles are a common sight along the coastline of the island. They are a protected species and in the endangered list. It is stated that it will take 15–50 years for this species to attain reproductive age. Though they live in the sea, the females come to the shore to lay eggs and are protected by private societies. Three species of turtles are particularly notable. These are: The leatherback sea turtles which have leather skin instead of a shell and are the largest of the type found here, some times measuring a much as (average is about ) and weighing about 450 (jellyfish is their favourite diet); the hawksbill turtles, which have hawk-like beaks and found near reefs, generally about in diameter and weigh about 60 and their diet consists of crabs and snails; and the green turtles, herbivores which have rounded heads, generally about in diameter and live amidst tall sea grasses.
Loggerhead sea turtle
More than 100 species of animals from 13 phyla, as well as 37 kinds of algae, live on loggerheads' backs. These parasitic organisms, which increase drag, offer no known benefit to the turtle, although the dulling effect of organisms on shell color may improve camouflage.
Pelusios
Pelusios is a genus of African side-necked turtles. With 20 described species, it is one of the most diverse genera of the turtle order (Testudines).
Hoan Kiem turtle
The Hoàn Kiếm turtle ("Rafetus leloii") was a controversial taxon of turtle from Southeast Asia, found in Hoàn Kiếm Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam. Although some Vietnamese biologists assert that "R. leloii" is a distinct species from the Yangtze giant softshell turtle "Rafetus swinhoei", of which there are only three living specimens left in the world, most authorities classify it as synonymous with the latter species. If the two taxa are to be considered distinct, "R. leloii" may be considered extinct.
Peter Pritchard
Pritchard's most important and innovative work has been along the Atlantic coast of Guyana, the South American country that is home to four of the world's seven known sea turtle species: the leatherback, green, hawksbill and the olive ridley. By the 1960s, overhunting by local Arawak Indians — themselves an endangered group — had ravaged the turtle population.
Turtle
The largest living chelonian is the leatherback sea turtle ("Dermochelys coriacea"), which reaches a shell length of and can reach a weight of over . Freshwater turtles are generally smaller, but with the largest species, the Asian softshell turtle "Pelochelys cantorii", a few individuals have been reported up to . This dwarfs even the better-known alligator snapping turtle, the largest chelonian in North America, which attains a shell length of up to and weighs as much as .
Giant tortoises of the genera "Geochelone", "Meiolania", and others were relatively widely distributed around the world into prehistoric times, and are known to have existed in North and South America, Australia, and Africa. They became extinct at the same time as the appearance of man, and it is assumed humans hunted them for food. The only surviving giant tortoises are on the Seychelles and Galápagos Islands and can grow to over in length, and weigh about .
Fauna of Europe
Among the seven species of native turtles, the most widespread are the European pond terrapin, marginated tortoise and Greek tortoise.
African helmeted turtle
Recent genetic research suggests that "Pelomedusa" comprises at least 10 different species, and not only one as previously thought. In the past the physical differences between populations were not regarded as substantial enough to recognise more than one species.
List of U.S. state reptiles
Because of their cold-blooded nature, reptiles are more common in warmer climates, and nineteen of the twenty-six state reptiles represent southern states. Six states chose a species named after the state. A turtle was chosen by more than half of the states. In all, the most frequently chosen species, with four states naming it, is the painted turtle. One state reptile, the Alabama red-bellied turtle is legally designated as an endangered species in the United States, and several others, also turtles, are threatened at some lesser level.
Turtle
In the United Kingdom, the word "turtle" is used for water-dwelling species, including ones known in the US as terrapins, but not for terrestrial species, which are known only as tortoises.
Leatherback sea turtle
Relatives of modern leatherback turtles have existed in some form since the first true sea turtles evolved over 110 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. The dermochelyids are relatives of the family Cheloniidae, which contains the other six extant sea turtle species. However, their sister taxon is the extinct family Protostegidae that included other species that did not have a hard carapace.
Ras Muhammad National Park
The area is home to more than 1000 species of fish, 40 species of star fish, 25 species of sea urchins, more than a 100 species of mollusc and 150 species of crustaceans. Among others, sea turtles, such as the green turtle ("Chelonia mydas") and the hawksbill turtle ("Eretmochelys imbricata") appear regularly in Ras Mohammad.
Turrid
The original family Turridae used to contain more than 4,000 species. the Turridae ("sensu" Powell 1966) It was the largest mollusk family and the largest group of marine caenogastropods. There were approximately 27,000 described scientific names (accepted names plus synonyms) within the family Turridae. Turrids constituted more than half of the predatory species of gastropods in some parts of the world (Taylor et al. 1980). However, this very large family was shown to be polyphyletic, and in 2011 it was divided into 13 separate families by Bouchet, Kantor, Sysoev and Puilandre.
Bintan Island
Various species of sea animals and plants are found underwater. From squids to snails, from various fish to oyster – several marine species including sea turtles are found here. Dolphins are also sighted. The variety and diversity of sea life is very attractive. Wild animals seen on this forest trek are silver leaf monkeys, sunbirds, eagles and kites.
Sea turtles, in particular, are the special species of Indonesia and its many islands, including Bintan; six species out of seven found in the world are recorded in Indonesia. The Indonesian law protection Act. no. 5 1990 re Conservation of Nature Resource and its Ecosystem; Government Regulation no. 7 1990 re Conservation Species of Flora & Fauna and the international trade by CITES (Convention of International Trade on Endangered Species) provide protection to these species.
Marine life of the Canary Islands
There are a total of 5 different species of marine turtle that are sighted periodically in the islands, the most common of these being the loggerhead turtle. The other four are the green, hawksbill, leatherback, and Kemp's ridley turtle. Currently, there are no signs that any of these species breed in the islands, and so those seen in the water are usually migrating. However, it is believed that some of these species may have bred in the islands in the past, and there are records of several sightings of leatherback turtle on beaches in Fuerteventura, adding credibility to the theory.
List of amphibians and reptiles of Grenada
Including marine turtles and introduced species, there are 20 reptile species reported on Grenada, though the status of four species is uncertain.
Turtle
Turtles are divided into two extant suborders: Cryptodira and Pleurodira. The Cryptodira is the larger of the two groups and includes all the marine turtles, the terrestrial tortoises, and many of the freshwater turtles. The Pleurodira are sometimes known as the side-necked turtles, a reference to the way they retract their heads into their shells. This smaller group consists primarily of various freshwater turtles.
Box turtle
Box turtles are North American turtles of the genus Terrapene. Although box turtles are superficially similar to tortoises in terrestrial habits and overall appearance, they are actually members of the American pond turtle family (Emydidae). The twelve taxa which are distinguished in the genus are distributed over four species. They are largely characterized by having a domed shell, which is hinged at the bottom, allowing the animal to close its shell tightly to escape predators.
Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park
Turtle species include leatherback, green and hawksbill. Pythons and Malayan pit vipers are also present. Leatherback sea turtles swim seasonally to lay eggs on Thai Mueang Beach in the park. Thailand was once a sanctuary for leatherback turtles. Monitoring between 2003–2013 at Thai Mueang Beach found turtles laid 2,678 eggs there and 1,574, or 58.7 percent survived. The species is disappearing. Irresponsible trawler fishing is one of the factors to blame. Property development on the beach has kept the turtles away. Another factor is the traditional belief that consuming turtle eggs boost one's sexual prowess. There have been reports of villagers selling leatherback eggs for up to 150 baht each.
Environmental impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Most of the impact was on the marine species. Eight U.S. national parks were threatened and more than 400 species that live in the Gulf islands and marshlands are at risk, including the endangered Kemp's ridley turtle, the green turtle, the loggerhead turtle, the hawksbill turtle, and the leatherback turtle. In the national refuges most at risk, about 34,000 birds were counted, including gulls, pelicans, roseate spoonbills, egrets, terns, and blue herons. A comprehensive 2009 inventory of offshore Gulf species counted 15,700. The area of the spill includes 8,332 species, including more than 1,200 fish, 200 birds, 1,400 molluscs, 1,500 crustaceans, 4 sea turtles, and 29 marine mammals. In a 2011 paper in the journal BioScience, researchers from the University of New Hampshire reported that the spill threatened 39 marine species in addition to the 14 currently under federal protection. Threatened species, the report found, ranged from 'whale sharks to seagrass". Also another impact to marine species was the impact to various food chains. With one break in the chain, the rest of the chain could be impacted greatly.
Turtle Conservancy
The Turtle Conservancy has purchase 43,000 acres of the last remaining habitat of the Bolson Tortoise "(Gopherus flavomarginatus)", in the state of Durango, Mexico. The largest of the North American terrestrial reptiles, this tortoise has been known to science only since 1959. The Bolson Tortoise inhabits a small area of Bolsón de Mapimí in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico. The Mapimí Biosphere Reserve was created to protect this species, but much of this land is used for agricultural development and cattle grazing, which is threatening the tortoise’s habitat. The acquisition of this land in north central Mexico will protect the tortoise along with all other native flora and fauna including an estimated 28 mammals, over 200 bird species, 5 amphibians, and 39 reptiles. The Turtle Conservancy began this collaborative effort with assistance from the Andrew Sabin Family foundation, Josiah T. Austin, and the Desert Tortoise Council and will be working in conjunction with the Turner Endangered Species Fund.
Bald eagle
Supplemental prey are readily taken given the opportunity. In some areas reptiles may become regular prey, especially warm areas such as Florida where reptile diversity is high. Turtles are perhaps the most regularly hunted type of reptile. In coastal New Jersey, 14 of 20 studied eagle nests included remains of turtles. The main species found were common musk turtles ("Sternotherus odoratus"), diamondback terrapin ("Malaclemys terrapin") and juvenile common snapping turtles ("Chelydra serpentina"). In these New Jersey nests, mainly subadult and small adults were taken, ranging in carapace length from . Similarly, many turtles were recorded in the diet in the Chesapeake Bay. Snakes are also taken occasionally, especially partially aquatic ones, as are amphibians and crustaceans (largely crayfish and crabs).
Great Barrier Reef
Six species of sea turtles come to the reef to breed: the green sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, flatback turtle, and the Olive Ridley. The green sea turtles on the Great Barrier Reef have two genetically distinct populations, one in the northern part of the reef and the other in the southern part. Fifteen species of seagrass in beds attract the dugongs and turtles, and provide fish habitat. The most common genera of seagrasses are "Halophila" and "Halodule".
List of U.S. state reptiles
Two species are IUCN Vulnerable: the desert tortoise (California and Nevada) and the gopher tortoise (Georgia, also the official tortoise of Florida). Three species are Near Threatened: the diamondback terrapin (Maryland), the ornate box turtle (Kansas), and the common box turtle (Missouri with the three-toed subspecies, North Carolina and Tennessee with the eastern subspecies). All the remaining state reptile species are Least Concern. All the non-turtle reptiles fall into this category, but the only two turtles in relative safety are the common snapping turtle (New York) and the painted turtle (Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Vermont).
Turtle
"Turtle" may either refer to the order as a whole, or to particular turtles that make up a form taxon that is not monophyletic, or may be limited to only aquatic species. "Tortoise" usually refers to any land-dwelling, non-swimming chelonian. "Terrapin" is used to describe several species of small, edible, hard-shell turtles, typically those found in brackish waters.
Wildlife of Costa Rica
Among turtles, 5 of the world's 7 species of sea turtles nest on the nation's beaches. Two crocodilians, the widespread spectacled caiman and the large, sometimes dangerous American crocodile are found in Costa Rica. The country's reptiles range in size from the delicate 15 cm (6 in) Hallowell's centipede snake of the genus "Tantilla" to the hulking leatherback turtle, at 500 kg (1100 lb) and 150 cm (60 in).
Spotted turtle
The spotted turtle ("Clemmys guttata"), the only species of the genus "Clemmys", is a small, semi-aquatic turtle that reaches a carapace length of upon adulthood. Their broad, smooth, low dark-colored upper shell, or carapace, ranges in its exact colour from black to a bluish black with a number of tiny yellow round spots. The spotting patterning extends from the head, to the neck and out onto the limbs. Males and females can be distinguished by differences in plastron shape and eye and chin colouration.
Chalan Beel
The banks of the beel are covered with dense stands of kash, babla, nol, dhol kolmi, simul, and date palm. Seven species of frogs and one species of toad represent the amphibian fauna. Chalan Beel has a total of 34 species of reptiles, including ten turtles and tortoises, nine lizards and various snake species. There are 27 species of mammals from 12 families.
Green sea turtle
The green sea turtle ("Chelonia mydas"), also known as the green turtle, black (sea) turtle or Pacific green turtle, is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but it is also found in the Indian Ocean. The common name comes from the usually green fat found beneath its carapace; these turtles' shells are olive to black.
Fauna of New Guinea
The reptile fauna of New Guinea is represented by three of the four extant orders. The squamates, also known as the snakes and lizards, represent the largest group, with approximately 300 described species. The remaining two groups: testudines, or turtles and tortoises, and Crocodilia, the crocodiles, are much less diverse. The turtles are represented by thirteen described species, and the crocodiles two.
Similajau National Park
Three common species of turtle have so far been recorded landing at the park beaches. These turtles are landing to lay their eggs. Three known localities are the Golden Beach, Turtle Beach I and Turtle Beach II. Turtles come during the months of March to September annually. The three species are the green turtle ("Chelonia mydas"), leatherback turtle ("Dermochelyes coriacea"), and hawksbill turtle ("Eretmochelys imbricate").
Cheloniidae
Cheloniidae is a family of typically large marine turtles that are characterised by their common traits such as, having a flat streamlined wide and rounded shell and almost paddle-like flippers for their forelimbs. The six species that make up this family are: the green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, olive ridley sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, flatback sea turtle and the Kemp's ridley sea turtle.
Leatherback sea turtle
The turtle is known to be of cultural significance to tribes all over the world. The Seri people, from the Mexican state of Sonora, find the leatherback sea turtle of significant cultural significance because it is one of their five main creators. The Seri people devote ceremonies and fiestas to the turtle when one is caught and then released back into the environment. The Seri people have noticed the drastic decline in turtle populations over the years and created a conservation movement to help this. The group, made up of both youth and elders from the tribe, is called Grupo Tortuguero Comaac. They use both traditional ecological knowledge and Western technology to help manage the turtle populations and protect the turtle’s natural environment.
Fauna of the United States
The Virgin Islands National Park covers approximately 60% of the Island of St. John and nearly all of Hassel Island. The national park has more than 140 species of birds, 302 species of fish, 7 species of amphibians and 22 species of mammals. The tropical Virgin Islands are home to a huge variety of wildlife, including many unique species endemic to the archipelago. There are three species of sea turtles in the USVI that inhabit the local waters and utilize beaches for nesting: the green sea turtle, the hawksbill sea turtle and the leatherback sea turtle. Several species of sharks, manatees and dolphins roam the seas.
Turtur
Turtur is a small genus of doves native to Sub-Saharan Africa. It includes 5 species
Emydidae
Emydidae is a family of testudines (turtles) which includes close to 50 species in 10 genera. Members of this family are commonly called terrapins, pond turtles, or marsh turtles. Several species of Asian box turtle were formerly classified in the family; however, revised taxonomy has separated them to a different family. As currently defined, Emydidae is entirely a Western Hemisphere family, with the exception of two species of pond turtle.
Painted wood turtle
The ornate or painted wood turtle ("Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima") is one of nine turtle species of the genus "Rhinoclemmys" of the family Geoemydidae. There are four recognized subspecies.
Cultural depictions of turtles
Turtle "Shetyw", "Shetw", "Sheta", "shtyw" was common in Ancient Egyptian Art (especially Predynastic and Old Kingdom art). Turtle fossils are the most common reptiles found in the Fayoum, including "Gigantochersina ammon", a tortoise as large as those living on the Galapagos Islands today. Charles Andrews was the first to write in the West about these tortoises in the early 20th century.
Turtle Conservancy
The Goode's Thornscrub Tortoise (Gopherus evgoodei) was described in 2015 by scientists Mercy Vaughn and lead author Dr. Taylor Edwards of the University of Arizona in honor of Turtle Conservancy co-founder Eric Goode. The Turtle Conservancy secured approximately 1,000 acres of Tropical Deciduous Forest in southern Sonora, Mexico, for the protection of this newly described species. The property targeted for this land acquisition has been identified for its excellent tortoise habitat, and for its ideal location adjoining a nature reserve, the Reserva Monte Mojino. This project will not only contribute to the survival of a unique tortoise but also the rich biodiversity associated with this ecosystem. This protected area will safeguard the globally endangered Tropical Deciduous Forest ecosystem supporting 36 families of tropical trees, 48 species of orchids, the highest diversity of birds in Sonora, 5 species of wild cats, and 79 species of amphibians and reptiles. The entire area will be owned and managed by Nature and Culture International, the organization that currently manages the Reserva Monte Mojino.
Desmatochelys padillai
Desmatochelys padillai is an extinct species of sea turtle described in 2015 and belongs to the family Protostegidae. Estimated to be more than 120 millions years old, it became the oldest known sea turtle, superseding a record earlier held by "Santanachelys gaffneyi", which was described in 1998. The fossil, including bones and shells, was discovered from Villa de Leyva in Colombia in 2007. The specimen is larger than an average-sized humans, measuring 2 m in length, and exhibits the key features of modern sea turtles. The specific name is given in honour of Carlos Bernardo Padilla, a renowned supporter of the palaeontology of the region.
Uatumã Sustainable Development Reserve
The reserve provides an egg-laying area for threatened species of turtles.
The Arrau turtle ("Podocnemis expansa") is relatively rare.
Turtles are caught for consumption or sale, as elsewhere in the Amazon region.
Maracarana Lake has the highest number of turtles and has been protected by residents in partnership with Eletrobras – Manaus Energia since 1985. 
In 1998 IBAMA declared Maracarana a protected lake, where gill nets and turtle capture are banned.
Asiatic softshell turtle
The three main types of discovered species are as follows: "Amyda cartilaginea", "Amyda ornata", and "Amyda" (unnamed due to a relative lack of information on this species). Both "Amyda cartilaginea" and "Amyda ornata"branch into further subspecies, while "Amyda" (unnamed) is a terminal clade in itself. "Amyda cartilagineas subspecies are: "Amyda cartilaginea cartilaginea" (located in E. Sunde, E. Borneo, Java, and Sulawesi) and "Amyda cartilaginea maculosa" (found in Sumatra and West Borneo). "Amyda ornatas subspecies include "Amyda ornata ornata" (Found in Laos and Cambodia), "Amyda ornata phayrei" (Found in Thailand and Mizoram), and "Amyda ornata" subspecies (unnamed) (found in Bangladesh).
Natural history of Trinidad and Tobago
Terrapins, tortoises and marine turtles make their homes on and around these islands. The giant leatherback sea turtle ("Dermochelys coriacea"), the hawksbill turtle ("Eretmochelys imbricata"), the loggerhead turtle ("Caretta caretta"), the olive ridley turtle ("Lepidochelys olivacea") and the green sea turtle ("Chelonia mydas") are marine species that either nest on the islands' beaches or frequent their coastal waters. The land dwelling yellow-footed tortoise ("Geochelone denticulata") or Morrocoy as it is locally known is threatened by high levels of poaching in Trinidad. The odd mata-mata turtle ("Chelus fimbriata") is known as a waif (and is possibly a rare inhabitant) of the Nariva Swamp and other southern and eastern coastal river systems in Trinidad. The wood-turtle locally known as the Galap ("Rhinoclemmys punctularia") is found in and near rivers, streams and swamps in Trinidad, and has appeared on occasion as a waif on Tobago.
Wildlife of Benin
Nile crocodiles "(Crocodylus niloticus)" the largest living reptile seen in river banks and ponds in the two protected parks, the dwarf caiman, smaller and docile species of chameleons in 100 colour variations. 
Tortoises are: leopard tortoise "(Stigmochelys pardalis)", several species of terrapin and turtles – out of eight species of marine turtles four are found in Benin coast, namely, the green sea turtle "(Chelonia mydas)", olive ridley sea turtle "(Lepidochelys olivacea)" and leatherback sea turtle ("Dermochelys coriacea"). The indigenous hawksbill sea turtle "(Eretmochelys imbricata)" is the source of traditional tortoiseshell). 
Lizards found are harmless and of two types, the water and savanna monitors – "Varanus niloticus" and "Varanus exanthematicus" – both are predatory species; house gecko "(Hemidactylus mabouia)", a translucent white lizard; agama species in large size of varied mixed colours and the skinks.
List of amphibians and reptiles of Saint Kitts and Nevis
Including marine turtles and introduced species, there are 14 reptile species reported on Saint Kitts and 12 species on Nevis.
Fauna of New Guinea
The turtles of New Guinea are almost equally represented by fresh water turtles as marine. Six species of New Guinea's turtles are marine, and all are found on other land masses. The fresh water turtles are represented by seven species, with three endemic to New Guinea. One species, Parker's snake-necked turtle ("Chelodina parkeri"), is restricted to the Fly River.
Saving Planet Earth
Of the seven remaining species of sea turtle, six are seriously threatened with extinction. Saira Khan travels to Sri Lanka, one of the best places in the world to see turtles, but even here commercial fishing practices and pressure on the turtles' nesting beaches are driving numbers down.
Fauna of the United States
In Hawaii, three species of sea turtles are considered native: honu, honu’ea and the leatherback sea turtle. Two other species, the loggerhead sea turtle and the olive ridley sea turtle, are sometimes observed in Hawaiian waters. The Hawaiian green sea turtle is the most common sea turtle in Hawaiian waters. As well as turtles, the sea life consist of more than forty species of shark and the Hawaiian spinner dolphin is widespread. Hawaii's coral reefs are home to over 5000 species, and 25 percent of these are found nowhere else in the world.
Marine reptile
Currently, of the approximately 12,000 extant reptile species and sub-species, only about 100 are classed as marine reptiles: extant marine reptiles include marine iguanas, sea snakes, sea turtles and saltwater crocodiles.
Topsail Island
Sea turtle populations are rapidly decreasing due to the increasing populations of humans and rapid degradation of habitats. Recently, efforts have been made to increase these populations by focusing on one main stage of life, the egg site. These such sites can be found along the coastlines of beaches up into the sand dunes. There are four main species that can be found on and around the island which are loggerhead, green, leatherback, and Ridley sea turtles. One species specifically that has been the main theme of protection is the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. This turtle has been the basis for the stationing of the Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center in Topsail Island, North Carolina. Their mission is the protection and watching over of the 26 mile stretch of beach that is Topsail Island. They are committed to the overseeing of hatching of the eggs, caring for sick and injured turtles, and protection over the egg site.
Yangtze giant softshell turtle
The Yangtze giant softshell turtle ("Rafetus swinhoei") also known as the Red River giant softshell turtle, Shanghai softshell turtle, Swinhoe’s softshell turtle or speckled softshell turtle (Chinese: 斑鱉; Pinyin: "bān bīe") is an extremely rare species of softshell turtle found in Vietnam and China. Only four living individuals are known, two in China (captive) and two in Vietnam (wild), (a fifth from Vietnam having been reported dead in January 2016), and it is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List. It may be the largest living freshwater turtle in the world. It is hoped that a pair at Suzhou Zoo in China will breed.
Central American river turtle
The Central American river turtle ("Dermatemys mawii"), also known locally as the hickatee or "tortuga blanca" (white turtle), is the only living species in the family Dermatemydidae. Its closest relatives are only known from fossils with some 19 genera described from a worldwide distribution from the Jurassic and Cretaceous. The species is currently found in the Atlantic drainages of Central America, specifically southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. It is a relatively large-bodied species, with historical records of and weights of ; however, more recent records have found few individuals over in Mexico or in Guatemala.
World Turtle
The World Turtle (also referred to as the Cosmic Turtle or the World-bearing Turtle) is a mytheme of a giant turtle (or tortoise) supporting or containing the world. The mytheme, which is similar to that of the World Elephant and World Serpent, occurs in Hindu mythology, Chinese mythology, Scientology and the mythologies of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. The "World-Tortoise" mytheme was discussed comparatively by Edward Burnett Tylor (1878:341).
Turtle Trek
Guests first visit two naturalistic habitats, one filled with manatees and several species of freshwater fish, the other home to more than 1,500 saltwater fish and over a dozen sea turtles. Many of the manatees and sea turtles were rescued by the park’s animal team or were born at SeaWorld.
Amaurochrous
Amaurochrous is a genus of turtle bugs in the family Pentatomidae. There are about six described species in "Amaurochrous".
Pollution of the Ganges
The Ganges River dolphin is one of few species of fresh water dolphins in the world. Listed as an endangered species, their population is believed to be less than 2000. Hydroelectric and irrigation dams along the Ganges that prevents the dolphins from travelling up and down river is the main reason for their reducing population.
The Ganges softshell turtle ("Nilssonia gangetica") is found in the Ganges, Indus, and Mahanadi river systems of Pakistan, northern India, Bangladesh, and southern Nepal. This turtle inhabits deep rivers, streams, large canals, lakes and ponds, with a bed of mud or sand. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, freshwater turtle species are vulnerable. Due to their long lifespan and high trophic level in the aquatic food web, turtles are vulnerable to heavy metals pollution, a major kind of pollution in the Ganges.
Turtle Conservancy
A report just published by the Turtle Conservation Coalition* calls attention to the grave conservation status of the world's tortoises and freshwater turtles. According to "Turtles in Trouble: The World’s 25+ Most Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles – 2018", more than half of the currently recognized 356 species of turtles and tortoises are threatened with extinction. Among all animals, only the nonhuman primates, with approximately 60% of species threatened with extinction, are in a more precarious state. The report updates earlier assessments, and adds two new species to the most endangered list.
Turtle
However, it was later suggested that the anapsid-like turtle skull may be due to reversion rather than to anapsid descent. More recent morphological phylogenetic studies with this in mind placed turtles firmly within diapsids, slightly closer to Squamata than to Archosauria. All molecular studies have strongly upheld the placement of turtles within diapsids; some place turtles within Archosauria, or, more commonly, as a sister group to extant archosaurs, though an analysis conducted by Lyson "et al." (2012) recovered turtles as the sister group of lepidosaurs instead. Reanalysis of prior phylogenies suggests that they classified turtles as anapsids both because they assumed this classification (most of them studying what sort of anapsid turtles are) and because they did not sample fossil and extant taxa broadly enough for constructing the cladogram. Testudines were suggested to have diverged from other diapsids between 200 and 279 million years ago, though the debate is far from settled. Even the traditional placement of turtles outside Diapsida cannot be ruled out at this point. A combined analysis of morphological and molecular data conducted by Lee (2001) found turtles to be anapsids (though a relationship with archosaurs couldn't be statistically rejected). Similarly, a morphological study conducted by Lyson "et al.". (2010) recovered them as anapsids most closely related to "Eunotosaurus". A molecular analysis of 248 nuclear genes from 16 vertebrate taxa suggests that turtles are a sister group to birds and crocodiles (the Archosauria). The date of separation of turtles and birds and crocodiles was estimated to be . The most recent common ancestor of living turtles, corresponding to the split between Pleurodira and Cryptodira, was estimated to have occurred around . The oldest definitive crown-group turtle (member of the modern clade Testudines) is the species "Caribemys oxfordiensis" from the late Jurassic period (Oxfordian stage). Through utilizing the first genomic-scale phylogenetic analysis of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) to investigate the placement of turtles within reptiles, Crawford "et al." (2012) also suggest that turtles are a sister group to birds and crocodiles (the Archosauria).
List of amphibians and reptiles of Anguilla
Including marine turtles and introduced species, there are 19 reptile species reported on Anguilla. Two are endemic and are restricted to small, uninhabited satellite islands: Censky's Ameiva ("Pholidoscelis corax") and the Sombrero Ameiva ("Pholidoscelis corvina").
Loggerhead sea turtle
Loggerheads are considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. 
In total, 9 distinct population segments are under the protection of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, with 4 population segments classified as "threatened" and 5 classified as "endangered"
Commercial trade of loggerheads or derived products is prohibited by CITES Appendix I.
Untended fishing gear is responsible for many loggerhead deaths. Turtles may also suffocate if they are trapped in fishing trawls. Turtle excluder devices have been implemented in efforts to reduce mortality by providing an escape route for the turtles. Loss of suitable nesting beaches and the introduction of exotic predators have also taken a toll on loggerhead populations. Efforts to restore their numbers will require international cooperation, since the turtles roam vast areas of ocean and critical nesting beaches are scattered across several countries.
List of reptiles of Guatemala
The Central American river turtle is the only living species in the family Dermatemydidae. It is a nocturnal, aquatic turtle that lives in larger rivers and lakes in Central America, from southern Mexico to northern Honduras. It is one of the world's most heavily exploited turtles and is classified a Critically Endangered species by the IUCN. 
It is a fairly large turtle, attaining a maximum size of 65 cm (25 inches) in carapace length, and can weigh in the range of 20 kg (44 lbs). They have a flattened carapace, that is usually a solid grey or almost black in color. Their plastron is normally cream colored.Order: Testudines. 
Family: Emydidae
Caribbean Sea
There are 500 species of reptiles (94% of which are endemic). Islands are inhabited by some endemic species such as rock iguanas and American crocodile. The blue iguana, endemic to the island of Grand Cayman, is endangered. The green iguana is invasive to Grand Cayman. The Mona ground iguana which inhabits the island of Mona, Puerto Rico, is endangered. The rhinoceros iguana from the island of Hispaniola which is shared between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is also endangered. The region has several types of sea turtle (loggerhead, green turtle, hawksbill, leatherback turtle, Atlantic ridley and olive ridley). Some species are threatened with extinction. Their populations have been greatly reduced since the 17th century – the number of green turtles has declined from 91 million to 300,000 and hawksbill turtles from 11 million to less than 30,000 by 2006.
Threats to sea turtles
Threats to sea turtles are numerous and have caused many sea turtle species to be endangered. Of the seven extant species of sea turtles, six in the family Cheloniidae and one in the family Dermochelyidae, all are listed on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. The list classifies six species of sea turtle as "threatened", two of them as "critically endangered", one as "endangered" and three as "vulnerable". The flatback sea turtle is classified as "data deficient" which means that there is insufficient information available for a proper assessment of conservation status. Although sea turtles usually lay around one hundred eggs at a time, on average only one of the eggs from the nest will survive to adulthood. While many of the things that endanger these hatchlings are natural, such as predators including sharks, raccoons, foxes, and seagulls, many new threats to the sea turtle species have recently arrived and increased with the ever-growing presence of humans.
Endangered sea turtles
The green turtle is one of the largest sea turtles and the only herbivore among the different species. Green turtles are in fact named for the greenish color of their cartilage and fat, not their shells.
Turtle
Some languages do not have this distinction, as all of these are referred to by the same name. For example, in Spanish, the word "tortuga" is used for turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. A sea-dwelling turtle is "tortuga marina", a freshwater species "tortuga de río", and a tortoise "tortuga terrestre".
Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and their Habitats of the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia
The list of turtle species, currently protected by the Memorandum, is the following
El Salvador
There are eight species of sea turtles in the world; six of them nest on the coasts of Central America, and four make their home on the Salvadoran coast: the leatherback turtle ("Dermochelys coriacea"), the hawksbill ("Eretmochelys imbricata"), the green sea turtle (black) ("Chelonia agasizzii") and the olive ridley ("Lepidochelys olivacea"). Of these four species, the most common is the olive ridley turtle, followed by the green sea turtle. The other two species, hawksbill and leatherback, are much more difficult to find as they are critically endangered, while the olive ridley and green sea turtle are in danger of extinction.
List of reptiles of West Virginia
There are 39 species of reptiles whose ranges include at least parts of the state of West Virginia, USA. With 20 species of snakes, 13 turtle species, and 6 lizard species, the state's reptile diversity is high. However, many of these species are declining in population due to habitat destruction, water pollution, and the killing of reptiles out of ignorant fear.
Endangered sea turtles
Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of sea turtles a year are accidentally caught in shrimp trawl nets, on longline hooks and in fishing gill-nets. Sea turtles need to reach the surface to breathe, and therefore many drown once caught. Loggerhead and hawksbill turtles are particularly vulnerable. Nearly all species of sea turtle are classified as Endangered. They are killed for their eggs, meat, skin and shells. They also face habitat destruction. Climate change has an impact on turtle nesting sites. As fishing activity expands, this threat is more of a problem.
Cheloniology
At somewhere between 48 and 54% of all 330 or so chelonian species being threatened, they are at a much higher risk of extinction than many other vertebrates. Of the around 250 species of freshwater and terrestrial turtles, 117 species are considered Threatened, 73 are either Endangered or Critically Endangered and 1 is Extinct. All 7 species of sea turtles are endangered, with some considered critically endangered. Of the 58 species belonging to the Testudinidae family, 33 species are Threatened, 18 are either Endangered or Critically Endangered, 1 is Extinct in the wild and 7 species are Extinct. 71% of all tortoise species are either gone or almost gone. Asian species are the most endangered with around 75% being considered threatened, closely followed by the five endemic species from Madagascar.
Turtle farming
In a report from a Tunchang County, Hainan, turtle farm, published by James F. Parham and Shi Haitao in 2000, the researchers give a general idea of such an enterprise. According to the owner, the farm, established in 1983, had around 50,000 animals of over 50 different aquatic and terrestrial species. The majority, 30,000, were the common Chinese softshell turtle.
There were also 7,000 to 8,000 yellow pond turtles, and at least 1,000 of the prized golden coin turtle.
The adult turtles lived in an outdoor breeding area, while the young ones were kept in indoor raising ponds.
Turtling (hunting)
Turtle hunting in New York State regulates two species of turtles, the Diamondback terrapin and the snapping turtle. Snapping turtles are allowed to be hunted only through the months of July 15-September 30. A small game hunting license is required to hunt the turtle, and it is mandated that the turtle shell must be 12 inches long, or longer in a straight line. Turtles must be killed with a bow or firearm, and there is a limit of 30 turtles per year. Because of risk of food-borne contaminants, health advisories have been implemented with specific cooking instructions for public health.
Galápagos green turtle
Three possibilities have arisen from their unique characteristics: "agassizii" is a separate species from "C. mydas", it is a subspecies of green sea turtle, or it is simply a color mutation. At a meeting for sea turtle scientists and their collaborators in 2000, the evidence for the taxonomic position of the Galápagos green turtle was reviewed and a majority among the participants supported treating it as a population or subspecies of the green turtle (instead of a separate species). This has been followed by later authorities such as the Reptile Database (where considerded a subspecies) and IUCN's Turtle Taxonomy Working Group (where considered a variant).
Canary Islands
There are a total of five different species of marine turtle that are sighted periodically in the islands, the most common of these being the endangered loggerhead sea turtle. The other four are the green sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, leatherback sea turtle and Kemp's ridley sea turtle. Currently, there are no signs that any of these species breed in the islands, and so those seen in the water are usually migrating. However, it is believed that some of these species may have bred in the islands in the past, and there are records of several sightings of leatherback sea turtle on beaches in Fuerteventura, adding credibility to the theory.
Sea turtle
Sea turtles are a species that finds relatively low offspring survival rates. If you were to start with 1000 sea turtle eggs, you would end up with only one sexually mature subject. Starting with 1000 eggs, roughly 20% wouldn’t hatch which means from the start only 800 sea turtles will hatch and make it to the sand surface. As the sea turtles begin to move down the beach and towards the waves, only 50% or 400 of them will make it to the ocean. This is due to predation and obstacles preventing the young turtles from reaching the ocean. Continuing, once in the ocean 50% of these sea turtles will survive to past juvenile stages of life. Once they reach adulthood only 20 sea turtles will survive, and this is without human interference. When human interference is factored in, only 2 out of 1000 sea turtles will survive to reproductive maturity.
Podocnemis
Podocnemis is a genus of aquatic turtles, commonly known as South American river turtles, in the family Podocnemididae. The genus consists of six extant species occurring in tropical South America. Three additional species are only known from fossils.
Threats to sea turtles
A study by Discovery News targets the Mediterranean, the Eastern Pacific, the Southwest Atlantic, and the Northwest Atlantic as the regions in the direst need of preservation endeavors. In 1963, the Marine Turtle Group was created by the chairman of the Survival Service Commission of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as the first international forum for sea turtle research and conservation. In the United States in 1973, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 was passed, providing protection for all sea turtle species, and in 1977, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enforce the ESA with regards to sea turtles. USFWS is responsible for all sea turtle conservation on nesting beaches and NOAA Fisheries are responsible for the marine conservation of sea turtles. The conservation of sea turtles on an international scale has been led by two major environmental agreements: the Indian Ocean – South-East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding and the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles. In an attempt to lessen the number of turtles killed by fishing incidents, several new types of turtle-safe fishing equipment have been introduced such as the circle hooks, fish bait, and turtle excluder devices. Poaching has been outlawed in most countries and turtle conservation education has been growing in both in size and efficiency.
List of Testudines families
There are fourteen extant families of the order Testudines, an order of reptile commonly known as turtles, tortoises and terrapins. The testudines are some of the most ancient reptiles alive, with only the tuataras considered more primitive. There are approximately 300 extant species and 97 genera of testudines, split into two suborders: the Cryptodirans and the Pleurodirans. The distinction between these two suborders is based on the mode in which they cover their head and neck. The Pleurodirans, also called the side-necked turtles, have long necks, and fold them sideways to align them with the shell. The Pelomedusidae and Chelidae are the only extant families of pleurodires. The Cryptodirans pull their neck straight back to conceal their head within the shell. The Carettochelyidae, Cheloniidae, Chelydridae, Dermatemydidae, Dermochelyidae, Emydidae, Kinosternidae, Testudinidae and Trionychidae are all cryptodires, although the ability to retract the head has been lost in the sea turtles (Cheloniidae and Dermochelyidae). A third order, the Paracryptodirans, are extinct.
List of reptiles of Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a country in southeastern Europe situated entirely in the Balkan peninsula. The county is inhabited by 38 reptilian species, which makes reptiles the second least diverse class of vertebrates in the country, after Bulgaria's amphibians. The list includes four species that have not been recorded in the country since the first half of the 20th century – the loggerhead sea turtle, green sea turtle, aspic viper and meadow viper. There are four turtle and two tortoise species of four families – Cheloniidae, Emydidae, Geoemydidae and Testudinidae; fourteen lizard species of four families – Anguidae, Gekkonidae, Lacertidae and Scincidae; and eighteen snake species of four families – Boidae, Colubridae, Typhlopidae and Viperidae. In addition, in recent years one turtle species, the North American pond slider, has been observed in numerous bodies of water all over the country; it has not reproduced successfully in the country and is not included in the list. The other two extant orders, Crocodilia and Rhynchocephalia, are not represented in Bulgaria.
Tennessee Aquarium
The Aquarium's collection of turtles and tortoises includes more than 500 individuals, representing more than 75 species. In 1993 Tennessee Aquarium researchers partnered with researchers from the University of Tennessee at Martin to undertake a three-year study of turtle populations in Reelfoot Lake, the first scientific assessment of turtles in that habitat. Its efforts to reintroduce native southeastern species include work with the yellow-blotched map turtle, which the Aquarium has worked to restore to its natural habitat in the Pascagoula River system, and the bog turtle. The Aquarium has participated in the Bog Turtle Headstart program, part of the Georgia Mountain Bog Enhancement Project, through captive breeding of the turtles.
Arrau turtle
The Arrau turtle ("Podocnemis expansa"), also known as the South American river turtle, giant South American turtle, giant Amazon River turtle, Arrau sideneck turtle or simply the Arrau, is the largest of the side-neck turtles (Pleurodira) and the largest freshwater turtle in Latin America. The species primarily feeds on plant material and typically nests in large groups on beaches. Due to hunting of adults, collecting of their eggs, pollution, habitat loss, and dams, the Arrau turtle is seriously threatened.
Kemp's ridley sea turtle
Kemp's ridley sea turtle ("Lepidochelys kempii" ), also called the Atlantic ridley sea turtle, is the rarest species of sea turtle and is critically endangered. It is one of two living species in the genus "Lepidochelys" (the other one being "L. olivacea", the olive ridley sea turtle).
Painted turtle
The painted turtle ("Chrysemys picta") is the most widespread native turtle of North America. It lives in slow-moving fresh waters, from southern Canada to Louisiana and northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The turtle is the only species of the genus "Chrysemys", which is part of the pond turtle family Emydidae. Fossils show that the painted turtle existed 15 million years ago. Four regionally based subspecies (the eastern, midland, southern, and western) evolved during the last ice age.
Archelon
Archelon is an extinct marine turtle from the Late Cretaceous, and is the largest turtle ever to have been documented, with the biggest specimen measuring from head to tail, from flipper to flipper, and in weight. It is known only from the Dakota Pierre Shale and has one species, A. ischyros. In the past, the genus also contained "A. marshii" and "A. copei", though these have been reassigned to "Protostega" and "Microstega" respectively. The genus was named in 1895 by American paleontologist George Reber Wieland based on a skeleton from South Dakota, who placed it into the extinct family Protostegidae. The leatherback sea turtle ("Dermochelys coriacea") was once thought to be its closest living relative, but now, Protostegidae is thought to be a completely separate lineage from any living sea turtle.
Turtle
In North America, all chelonians are commonly called "turtles". "Tortoise" is used only in reference to fully terrestrial turtles or, more narrowly, only those members of Testudinidae, the family of modern land tortoises. "Terrapin" may refer to small semi-aquatic turtles that live in fresh and brackish water, in particular the diamondback terrapin ("Malaclemys terrapin"). Although the members of the genus "Terrapene" dwell mostly on land, they are referred to as box turtles rather than tortoises. The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists uses "turtle" to describe all species of the order Testudines, regardless of whether they are land-dwelling or sea-dwelling, and uses "tortoise" as a more specific term for slow-moving terrestrial species.
Turtle
Turtles are ectotherms—animals commonly called cold-blooded—meaning that their internal temperature varies according to the ambient environment. However, because of their high metabolic rate, leatherback sea turtles have a body temperature that is noticeably higher than that of the surrounding water. Turtles are classified as amniotes, along with other reptiles, birds, and mammals. Like other amniotes, turtles breathe air and do not lay eggs underwater, although many species live in or around water. The study of turtles is called cheloniology, after the Greek word for turtle. It is also sometimes called testudinology, after the Latin name for turtles.
Leatherback sea turtle
The leatherback sea turtle ("Dermochelys coriacea"), sometimes called the lute turtle or leathery turtle or simply the luth, is the largest of all living turtles and is the fourth-heaviest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys and family Dermochelyidae. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell, hence the name. Instead, its carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh. "Dermochelys" is the only extant genus of the family Dermochelyidae.
Irrawaddy River
Despite recent declines in the sea turtle populations, five species are known to nest in Burma at well known island and mainland beaches known as turtle-banks. These are the olive ridley sea turtle ("Lepidochelys olivacea"), the loggerhead sea turtle ("Caretta caretta"), the green sea turtle ("Chelonia mydas"), the hawksbill sea turtle ("Eretmochelys imbricata"), and the leatherback sea turtle ("Dermochelys coriacea").
Turtle farming
Over one-half of all turtles exported from the USA over the study period were "Trachemys scripta" (17,524,786 individuals), primarily "Trachemys scripta elegans", or red-eared sliders (15,181,688 individuals), as well as other "Trachemys scripta" subspecies).
Olive ridley sea turtle
The genus name is derived from the Greek words "lepidos", meaning scale, and "chelys", which translates to turtle. This could possibly be a reference to the supernumerary costal scute counts characteristic of this genus. The etymology of the English vernacular name "olive" is somewhat easier to resolve, as its carapace is olive green in color. However, the origin of "ridley" is still somewhat unclear, perhaps derived from "riddle". "Lepidochelys" is the only genus of sea turtles containing more than one extant species: "L. olivacea" and the closely related "L. kempii" (Kemp's ridley).
Ridley sea turtle
Ridley sea turtles ("Lepidochelys") are a genus of sea turtle comprising two species: Kemp's ridley sea turtle and the olive ridley sea turtle.