Changes

'''Turtles''' are [[reptile]]s with a hard [[shell]] which encloses all of their internal [[organ]]s. There are more than 250 [[species]] of turtles, the majority of which lives in [[tropical]] zones.

The '''turtle''' is a [[reptile]] with a hard [[shell]] enclosing its internal [[organ]]s. There are more than 250 [[species]] of turtles, the majority of which live in [[tropical]] zones.

Turtles are adjusted to living in all types of [[environment]]s. [[Freshwater]] turtles can be found in [[pond]]s, [[lake]]s and [[river]]s, [[marine]] turtles in the [[ocean]]s and [[sea]]s, and [[terrestrial]] turtles on [[land]]. There are also turtles that cross the borders between these environments, making them ''semi-terrestrial''.

Turtles are adjusted to living in all types of [[environment]]s. [[Freshwater]] turtles can be found in [[pond]]s, [[lake]]s and [[river]]s, [[marine]] turtles in the [[ocean]]s and [[sea]]s, and [[terrestrial]] turtles on [[land]]. There are also turtles that cross the borders between these environments, making them ''semi-terrestrial''.

Turtles come in a great variety of shapes and sizes. There are species only 6 inches in diameter (for example the [[North American box turtle]]), and the [[giant leatherback sea turtle]], which may attain lengths of up to 8 feet.

Turtles come in a great variety of shapes and sizes. There are species only 6 inches in diameter (for example the [[North American box turtle]]), and the [[giant leatherback sea turtle]], which may attain lengths of up to 8 feet.

The upper shell of the turtle is called the [[carapace]], and the lower is called the [[plasmon]]; their structures varying among different turtles. Some of the aquatic turtle species, the [[soft-shelled turtles]], have their carapace covered with [[leather]]y skin.

The upper shell of the turtle is called the [[carapace]], and the lower is called the [[plastron]]; their structures varying among different turtles. Some of the aquatic turtle species, the [[soft-shelled turtles]], have their carapace covered with [[leather]]y skin.

Turtles have no [[teeth]] but a horny sharp [[beak]] instead. They also lack a [[breastbone]], and their [[heart]] has three chambers like the heart of other reptiles, with the noted exception of [[crocodile]]s.

Turtles have no [[teeth]] but a horny sharp [[beak]] instead. They also lack a [[breastbone]], and their [[heart]] has three chambers like the heart of other reptiles, with the noted exception of [[crocodile]]s.

* side-necked turtles - these are freshwater species that hide their heads by bending their necks sideways

* side-necked turtles - these are freshwater species that hide their heads by bending their necks sideways

* arch-necked turtles - these pull their heads into their shell by retracting their necks in an s-shaped fashion

* arch-necked turtles - these pull their heads into their shell by retracting their necks in an s-shaped fashion

[[Category:Reptiles]]

[[Category:Reptiles]]