turtle-tuesdays

[turtle-tuesdays]

Galápagos Tortoise

Latin name: chelonoidis niger

Size: large individuals can have a length of up to 1.85 metres (6.1 ft)

Diet: herbivorous

Habitat: the galápagos islands

Population status: threatened

Turtley facts:

these tortoises live on the galápagos islands- and gálapagos comes from the spanish word gálapago, meaning tortoise

there are 15 subspecies of gálapagos tortoise, two of which are extinct today

Gálapagos tortoises were one of the animals that helped Charles Darwin formulate his theories about evolution

they share a mutualistic relationship with some birds, who eat exoparasites

source

Pics:

[turtle-tuesdays]

Big-headed Turtle

Latin name: Platysternon megacephalum

Size: shell size up to 20 cm (7.87 inches)

Diet: carnivorous (mostly fishes, snails and worms)

Habitat: Cambodia, Laos, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam

Population status: endangered

Turtley facts:

due to it´s headsize, this turtleis unable to pull its head into its shell

when threatened, the big-headed turtle will bite its predator to defend itself

it is also known to climb bushes and trees, but isn´t a good swimmer

its strong tail is very long- almost the same length as its body!

source source 2

Pics:

[turtle-tuesdays]

Greetings! I know that I haven´t been active in a while, due to some stress and health factors, but I have good news for you! In the new year, we´re starting up again with the first turtle being posted today! So keep your eyes open and have much fun with turtle tuesdays!

[turtle-tuesdays]

Love that he also types like an old man

[turtle-tuesdays]

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Latin name: Lepidochelys Olivacea

Size: about 61 cm (2 ft)

Diet: mostly carnivorous

Habitat: The open seas, mostly in tropical areas

Population status: vulnerable

Turtley facts:

Ridley sea turtles are best known for the "arribadas", where thousands of them come to the beaches where they hatched and lay their eggs there

humans pose a very big threat to them because of boat propellers, sea pollution etc.

they get their name from the colour of their shells, a beautiful olive green

much like other sea turtles, they are unable to pull their head and legs into their shells

source source 2

Pics:

[turtle-tuesdays]

Red-eared slider

Latin Name: Trachemys scripta elegans

Size: 15-20 cm / 6-8 inches

Activity phase: diurnal

Habitat: originally the southeastern US, but is an invasive species in many parts of the world

Populaation status: not endangered

Turtley facts:

since they are pokilotherms, they often sunbathe

they brumate in winter

they are the worlds most commonly traded reptile

they carry a high risk of infecting humans with salmonella bacterias

in the 2018 series "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Leonardo is a Red-eared slider

Source

Source 2

Pics:

[turtle-tuesdays]

🐢Turtle eating STRAWBERRY🍓

[turtle-tuesdays]

European pond turtle

Latin name: Emys orbicularis

Size: 20-30 cm

Activity phase: diurnal

Habitat: Europe, Asia, North Africa

Population status: Near threatened

Turtley facts:

Live in small groups

Hibernate

Their habitat is often destroyed, therefore they are growing endangered

Source

Source 2

Pics:

[turtle-tuesdays]

Welcome to Turtle-Tuesdays!

Every tuesday, starting October 11th 2022, I will present a species of Turtle or Tortoise. If you want to see a specific kind of turtle/tortoise, feel free to ask!

Some Q&A is under the cut!

Q: Who runs this blog?

A: This blog is run by me, Kai (he/they). I love turtles and tortoises and therefore am a huge TMNT fan. I like to read, listen to music and play theatre.

Q: Can I ask questions about the turtles snd tortoises presented here?

A: Of course! I will do my best to answer them. Please keep i mind however that I am in no way a professional, merely a humble high schooler with an interest in these wonderful reptiles.

Q: Where do you get your information?

A: Some of it is from books, but a lot of my research is done through the internet. I try to stick to trustworthy websites that seem professional (e.g. by universities). All my sources are linked under the presentations.

Q: What's your favourite kind of turtle/tortoise?

A: My favourite is Emys orbicularis, the European pond turtle. They're funky lil guys!

Q: What kind of turtle is your Avatar?

A: A European pond turtle baby! I took the photo myself on a visit to an aquarium- without flash, of course.