Sea Turtle
By: M. W.
Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genius Species | Works Cited
Kingdom: Animalia
Multicellular
Heterotrophs
Ingest food and digest food in an internal cavity
No cell wall
Cells are organized into tissues
Phylum: Chordata
Have bilateral symmetry
They have a segmented body with segmented tissues
Have three germ layers
Single, hollow, dorsal nerve cord, usually with brain
Tail goes beyond anus at some time of development
Complete digestive system
Bony or cartilaginous
Class: Reptilia
Air breathing vertebrates
Internal fertilization
Scaly bodies
No hair or feathers
Order: Testudines
Have tough, dry skin
Skin is covered with horny scales
Family: Cheloniidae
Has a shell
Shell encloses vital organs
Shell protects head and limbs
Genius and Species: Chelonia / Chelonia Mydas
Green flesh
One of the largest turtles
Pad like limbs
Heads are small
Even though turtles are vulnerable to
predators, they are able to retract into their shells for protection. Sea turtles, from
the phylum Chordata, are amazing and extraordinary vertebrates. Many
characteristics of a sea turtle help it to survive in the wild.
All animals have characteristics that make each one unique. for example, sea turtles have large upper eyelids. This shows that their eyelids help to provide protection from the sun. Another example, is that sea turtles have large flippers. This shows that turtles are good, strong, swimmers. In addition, they are ectothermic and have a slow metabolic rate. This also shows that turtles can stay submerged for long periods of time. In conclusion, not every animal is alike, but special in its own way
There are many habitat elements that are vital to a turtles life. For example, turtles eat sea grasses. This shows that not only do turtles need sea grasses for camouflage, but also for food to eat. Another example is, that turtles need land. This shows that turtles use land to hatch their eggs on. In addition, turtles like deep water. This also shows that turtles are good divers. In conclusion, not only do humans have elements essential to their lives, but also do animals.
The turtles have many characteristics that help it to survive. We can help them survive, by preventing the loss of baby turtle eggs.
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Swimming through the sea little, chubby turtles flapping their fins.
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FUN FACTS
First turtles appeared during the Triassic period, 245 to 208 million years ago.
Together with marine snakes, saltwater crocodiles, and marine iquanas, sea turtles are the only surviving seawater-adapted reptiles.
During the crawl to the sea, hatchlings set an internal magnetic compass, which they use for navigation away from the beach.
The Green sea turtle is mostly herbivorous.
Green sea turtles are an important source of food for humans.
Sea Turtles. 1994. Sea World,Inc. 15 Apr. 2003 <http://www.seaworld.org/info%2Dbooks/sea%2Dturtle/stclass.html>.
Sea Turtles. 2002. SeaWorld/Busch Gardens . 15 Apr. 2003 <http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/SeaTurtle/sthatch.html>.
Animal Diversity Web. May 2002. The University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. 15 Apr. 2003 <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/>.
Muzzy, Catherine. Personal interview. 15 Apr. 2003.