Animal of the Month

1. Turtles have been on the Earth for more than 200 million years. They evolved before mammals, birds, crocodiles, snakes and even lizards. Do you think it may be because of their unique shell?
2. Turtles can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
3. Sixty different bones connect together to make up the shell of a turtle.
4. Turtles' senses are well developed; they have good eyesight and hearing and a developed sense of smell. Their sense of touch is good, and even their shell contains nerve endings.
5. Some turtles can absorb oxygen through the skin on their neck. This allows them to remain submerged underwater for a long time.
6. Hawksbill, leatherback, Olive Ridley and other turtles are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
7. Turtles have a great sense of direction, which helps them find their way around vegetated wetlands and waterfront.
8. Plastic bags are a threat to turtles because the animals can mistake them for food and choke on them, and the construction of hotels and infrastructure along waterfronts has destroyed large areas of turtle nesting grounds around the world.
9. Some people kill turtles for their meat and their shell. Not only is this a painful and terrifying experience for turtles, it also reduces their populations.
10. Studies show that female turtles return to breed near the beach where they were born.