Turtles are reptiles that have a hard shell covering their bodies. They belong to the order Testudines which includes around 350 different species. Turtles are characterized by their protective shells, toothless jaws, and moderate size.
Turtles live all over the world in a variety of habitats including deserts, forests, swamps and the ocean. Freshwater turtles live in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams while sea turtles live in warmer coastal waters and oceans. Land turtles are adapted for life on land and have sturdy, elephant-like limbs.
When describing a turtle, some key features to note are its shell, limbs, head, tail and habitat. The shell is a bony structure covered in scales called scutes that protects the turtle’s body. The top part of the shell is called the carapace while the bottom is the plastron. Turtles cannot crawl out of their shells; their spine and ribcage are fused to the carapace.
Shell
The shell of a turtle is its most recognizable feature. It functions as armor to protect the turtle from predators and harsh environments. The shell is made up of bony plates called scutes that are overlaid with keratin, the same material found in horns, hair and nails.
Turtle shells come in many different shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. The shells of land turtles are usually high-domed to provide more protection while sea turtles have flatter, more hydrodynamic shells. Some turtle shells are brightly colored like the red-eared slider while others are drab like the matamata turtle. The pattern and markings on the scutes are unique to each turtle species.
When describing a turtle’s shell, take note of its overall shape, size and any distinctive markings. Key things to mention include:
- Shape – Is the shell round, oblong, flattened?
- Domed vs flat – How domed is the top?
- Smooth vs rough – Is the shell surface smooth or bumpy?
- Color – What is the main color and are there any secondary colors or patterns?
- Markings – Does it have stripes, spots or blotches?
- Special features – Any distinctive ridges, grooves or protrusions?
For example, a description of a box turtle’s shell could be:
The high-domed, olive green carapace has a flattened, yellow-orange plastron. Distinctive markings include radiating yellow lines on each scute and a single black spot near the center of each section.
Head
A turtle’s head includes its eyes, nose, mouth and jaw. When describing the head, take note of its size, shape, color and any distinctive features.
Key things to note:
- Size – Is it large, small or medium sized relative to the body?
- Shape – Round, triangular, oval?
- Eyes – How large are the eyes? What color?
- Nose – Does it have noticeable nostrils?
- Mouth – Describe jaws, beak shape and color
- Neck – Long, short, retractable?
- Skin – Smooth, rough, thick, warty?
- Color – Overall head color and any distinctive markings
For example, a description of a leatherback sea turtle’s head could be:
The leatherback has a relatively small head on a thick black neck. The head has an elongated pointed beak with pink mouth lining. The black eyes are encircled by pink fleshy skin.
Limbs
Turtles have four limbs including two front legs and two back legs. When describing the limbs, note:
- Length – Are they short, long, stubby?
- Size – Thick, thin, muscular?
- Webbing – Web-footed or clawed?
- Color – Single color or patterned?
- Special features – Scales, claws, spurs?
For example, a description of an eastern box turtle’s limbs could be:
The stout, elephantine hind legs have thick scaled skin with orange and black blotches. The darker forelegs have five clawed toes on each foot.
Tail
The tail of a turtle is short compared to the body and may range from stubby to moderately long. Things to note when describing the tail:
- Length – Short, moderately long, stubby?
- Width – Thin, thick?
- Shape – Round, flattened, pointed?
- Color/pattern – Solid, striped, spotted?
- Special features – Spurs, scutes, scales?
For example, a Galapagos tortoise tail description could be:
The short, stubby tail has large, thick scutes the same color and pattern as the carapace.
Habitat
The habitat and lifestyle of a turtle provides useful context when describing its physical features. Key habitat factors include:
- Terrestrial, aquatic or marine
- Tropical, temperate, arid, grasslands, forest
- Freshwater, brackish or saltwater
- Migratory or sedentary
- Herbivorous, carnivorous or omnivorous diet
For example, habitat description for a painted turtle:
The painted turtle is a freshwater species found in ponds, marshes and slow-moving streams across North America. It is an omnivorous bottom-feeder with a preference for a soft, muddy bottom where it can easily forage.
Size
When describing a turtle, it is useful to mention its overall size and weight. This gives the reader a sense of scale.
Some indications of size:
- Carapace length – Measure from front to back
- Weight – Heaviest turtle species can weigh over 900 lbs
- Length and height – Compare to average human dimensions
For example, size description for a leatherback sea turtle:
Leatherbacks are the largest sea turtle species, with an average carapace length of 4-6 feet and front flippers that can span almost 9 feet from tip to tip. Adults can weigh from 550 to over 2000 lbs.
Behavior
Notes on turtle behavior help paint a picture of how the animal lives and interacts with its environment:
- Solitary or social
- Foraging strategies
- Mating rituals
- Migration patterns
- Hibernation/brumation
- Defense mechanisms
For example, behavioral description for an alligator snapping turtle:
The alligator snapping turtle is a solitary ambush predator. It lies camouflaged at the bottom of swamps and rivers waiting for prey to come within striking distance of its worm-like, luring tongue. It does not migrate and only mates during the spring.
External Features Summary Table
| Body Part | Red-Eared Slider | Leatherback Turtle |
|---|---|---|
| Shell | Olive green carapace with yellow stripes, red ear markings on the side of the head, and a pale yellow plastron | Black leathery carapace with seven distinct ridges running the length of the shell, pinkish white soft plastron |
| Head | Olive green head with distinctive red stripe behind each eye, yellow chin and throat | Small triangular head with pointed beak, black with pink fleshy skin around eyes |
| Limbs | Sturdy green legs with yellow stripes and webbed feet with long claws | Two large front flippers used for propulsion, smaller rear flippers help steering |
| Tail | Olive green top and yellow bottom, long and wide | Very short tail, indistinguishable from underside of shell |
Conclusion
In summary, key features to describe in a turtle include the shape, size, color and texture of the shell, head, limbs and tail. Noting details like eyes, beak shape, skin texture, claws and other distinguishing characteristics helps paint a picture of each unique species. Providing habitat context also gives useful background information on the turtle’s lifestyle and evolutionary adaptations. Comparing the size to everyday objects helps convey a sense of scale. A table can neatly summarize the distinguishing external features of different turtle species for easy comparison. With this guide, you can describe the intricate physical characteristics of these amazing reptiles.
