6 surprising turtle facts that show why they’re truly remarkable

Turtles may look slow and quiet, but they’re actually some of the oldest animals on Earth. They’ve been around for over 200 million years and have survived big changes that made many other animals go extinct. Their strong shells and calm way of living show how quiet strength can help them survive for a long time. Today, turtles live in oceans, rivers, and even deserts. Learning more about them helps us understand why it’s so important to protect the places they live in. Here are some simple and fascinating facts that show why turtles are so special.

Turtles are one of the oldest reptiles still living today. Fossil evidence shows they first appeared around the time of the early dinosaurs. While many ancient creatures disappeared over time, turtles survived several mass extinctions and can still be found in a wide range of places– rivers, oceans, lakes, and even deserts.

A turtle’s shell isn’t something it can take off– it's actually part of its body. The shell is made from bones, including the ribs and spine, that have grown and fused together to form a strong, protective cover. It has two parts: the top is called the carapace, and the bottom is the plastron. Both are covered with keratin, the same material that makes up human nails.

In many types of turtles, the temperature of the nest decides whether the babies will be male or female. When the eggs develop in cooler sand, they usually hatch as males. Warmer nests tend to produce more females. This natural system helps keep the population balanced.

Turtles come in all sizes. Some freshwater turtles are just a few inches long, small enough to fit in your hand. On the other end, the leatherback sea turtle is one of the biggest living reptiles, growing over 2 meters long and weighing nearly 900 kilograms. Millions of years ago, turtles like the now-extinct Archelon were even bigger– some growing more than 4 meters in length.

Not all turtles stay near their birthplace. Some, like leatherback sea turtles, travel thousands of kilometres across oceans during their lifetime. They migrate to find food or return to the same beaches where they once hatched to lay their own eggs.

Turtles are more than just ancient animals– they play an important role in today’s ecosystems, too. Their long history of survival and ability to adapt across land and sea make them a vital part of Earth’s biodiversity.