Hobbies And Interests
Sea Turtles
Sea turtles are among the oldest living creatures on the Earth -- they've been around for about 120 million years. There are seven different species ranging in size from 30 inches to 6 feet long.
Three main things set sea turtles apart from other turtles. Sea turtles cannot pull their heads and legs back into their shell for protection, and they are typically found living in saltwater environments. The only time sea turtles come to land is to lay their eggs; once male sea turtles make the perilous journey from the nest to the ocean, they never return to land. Turtles can swim as far as 1,400 miles to cover the distance between their feeding grounds and the beaches where they lay their eggs.
Semi-Aquatic
Semi-aquatic turtles are those that spend time both on land and in the water. Many of these types of turtles will spend much of their time in the water, emerging onto land and onto rocks and logs to sun themselves.
Species of semi-aquatic turtles are commonly kept as pets. They require a fairly large habitat and access to fresh water all the time, as well as a place to bask. The red-eared slider, most known for initiating the need for banning the sale of turtles less than four inches long after a salmonella outbreak, is one of the most well-known species of semi-aquatic turtle. Others include painted turtles and African mud turtles, and these turtles are also known as terrapins.
Terrestrial
Terrestrial turtles are those that spend most of their lives on land. One example of a terrestrial turtle is the Eastern Box Turtle, and the closely related Blanding's Turtle and Spotted Turtle. These turtles can be found in a variety of environments ranging from fields to woodlands, and may also be found inhabiting moist, swampy areas.
In cool climates these turtles survive through the winter hiding beneath an insulated covering of dead and decaying plant matter; these are the same areas they often seek shelter in from the heat. Often, they will hollow out shelters in wooded areas or beneath bushes in which to make a temporary den. During the hottest part of the day in the hottest times of the year, these turtles will often wade into pond shallows or puddles to stay cool.
Softshell
Softshell turtles are just what their name implies -- turtles with soft and sometimes nonexistent shells. In some species, there is no shell and instead just a thick layer of skin affording the turtle some protection. Those that do have a recognizable hard shell have thin, flexible ones. Softshell turtles can be found in most areas of the world and can easily survive in even brackish or swampy water. The thin shells of the softshell turtle make them more vulnerable to predators and many have adapted by hiding along the bottom of the lakes, rivers and streams where they live, except when coming out to feed. These turtles can be kept in captivity but are equally shy in the company of humans.