What Are Turtles?

Turtles basically are reptiles coming from the arrangement Testudines, majority of whose body is covered by a special bony or cartilaginous shell which expands from their ribs.

The arrangement Testudines comprises of both extant as well as extinct species, the initial turtles were recognized from the ancient Triassic age, which makes the turtles the most ancient reptile groups, even older than the lizards and snakes. Approximately three hundred species are existent even till today, though quiet a few are endangered.

It is assumed that the original turtles existed in the Mesozoic, around 200 million years ago, although their precise descent is uncertain. It is said that they are the only existing division of the historic clade Anapsida, which comprises of groups like procolophonoids, millerettids, protorothyrids and pareiasaurus.

Add Comment

Report