We are searching data for your request:
Upon completion, a link will appear to access the found materials.
Jabuti: example of terrestrial turtle
What they are - biological meaning
Belonging to the Chelonia order and also known as testudines, turtles are reptiles that have a carapace. There are currently cataloged about 300 species of turtles in the world. They inhabit mainly regions with large presence of rivers, lakes, seas and tropical forests.
Summary of main features:
- They have dorsal carapace, which originates from the fusion of dermal bone plates. This hard and resistant carapace has as its main function to ensure the protection of the body of turtles against predators and physical impacts.
- In addition to carapace, turtles have the protection of a rigid ventral plastron.
- Chelonian vertebrae and ribs are fused to the plastron and carapace.
- The turtles are oviparous animals.
- They have no teeth in the mouth. Foods are cut and pulled through the use of horny blades.
Examples of turtles:
- Freshwater and sea turtles
- Jabutis (live in the land)
- Tortoises (live in freshwater environments)
Food:
- Sea turtles feed mainly on mollusks, mussels and crabs.
- Terrestrial turtles (jabutis) eat fruits, vegetables, insects, worms and even mice.
- Turtles (freshwater turtles) feed on fish, riverbank plants, fruits that fall into rivers, insects and mollusks.
Main species of turtles in Brazil:
- Leatherback Turtle - is the largest sea turtle in the world and can reach two and a half meters in length.
- Amazonian tortoise - is the largest freshwater turtle in the world. Its carapace can reach about 70 cm in length.
- loggerhead turtle - endangered marine species. It usually spawns on the sandy beaches of the coastlines of Bahia, Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro.
Biological Curiosities:
- Chelons appeared on planet Earth about 200 million years ago.
“Chelonian carapaces, also known as hooves, are very hardy because they are made up of keratin.
"The largest terrestrial turtle in the world is the galapagos tortoise." These reptiles can reach 1.8 meters in length, weighing up to 200 pounds. These turtles also break the record in terms of life, and can reach 140 years.
Striped Carapace Tortoise (Emys orbicularis): example of a turtle very common in Europe.