• Swimming turtlesImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of hobvias sudoneighm
  
  

Types

• Tortoise on grassImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Audrey
  
  Baby aquatic turtles live primarily in the water. Baby tortoises live primarily on land. Many turtles are semi-aquatic or semi-terrestrial, spending time in water and on land. All turtles breathe air and lay their eggs on land.
  
  

Hatching

• Tiny baby turtleImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Mike Garli
  
  Like most reptiles, baby turtles look like tiny versions of adults. Since mother turtles leave after laying the eggs, babies must fend for themselves from the moment they hatch.
  
  

Freshwater Turtles

• Basking freshwater turtleImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Gordana Adamovic-Mladenovic
  
  Some species live in fresh water ponds, slow-moving streams or swamps. Many baby pet store turtles are semi-aquatic or semi-terrestrial, including the box turtle and red-eared slider.
  
  

Sea Turtles

• Sea TurtleImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Steve Jurvetson
  
  Sea turtles live in the ocean, where they can swim at speeds of 20 miles per hour. Sea turtles are endangered due to over-hunting and loss of habitat.
  
  

Land Turtles

• Tortoise on the MoveImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Cliff
  
  Land turtles, also known as tortoises, range in size from 5 or 6 inches to the enormous 5 or 6 foot Galapagos Island tortoises.
  
  

Turtle Facts

• Tortoise eating strawberriesImage by Flickr.com, courtesy of Steve Jurvetson
  
  Many turtles are omnivores. Snapping turtles are carnivores, while Galapagos Island tortoises are herbivores. Turtles take years to reach sexual maturity. Box turtles can live to over 100 years.