amniotes

navigate by keyword : 360 air amniotes amphibian animal birds breathe case characterized closeup continents crocodile cryptodira developed differ divided eggs extinct fish found freshwater frog groups head hidden including islands land dwelling lay like live living lizard major mammals modern necked ocean order pleurodira reptile reptiles retracts ribs sea serpent shell side small snake special species terrapins testudines tortoise tortoises trutles turtle turtles two underwater view water wildlife

A group of small turtles. Royalty Free Stock Photo

People looking at a turtle in a turtle reservation center. Royalty Free Stock Photo

Turtle walking through the desert across country Royalty Free Stock Photo

Black and white illustration of turtle Royalty Free Stock Photo

The gopher tortoise stays perfectly still until it sizes up the threat of someone nearby Royalty Free Stock Photo

Turtle at the North Carolina Aquarium Royalty Free Stock Photo

Two turtles climbed at the lake stone Royalty Free Stock Photo

Black-chinned hummingbird Royalty Free Stock Photo

Gopher tortoise digs for food in the beach sand dune Royalty Free Stock Photo

A Turtle Swimming in the Indian Ocean Royalty Free Stock Photo

Turtle family in a pond - National Garden Athens Greece Royalty Free Stock Photo

Mating tortoises Royalty Free Stock Photo

Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines, characterized by a special shell developed mainly from their ribs. Modern turtles are divided into two major groups, the Pleurodira (side necked turtles) and Cryptodira (hidden necked turtles), which differ in the way the head retracts. There are 360 living and recently extinct species of turtles, including land-dwelling tortoises and freshwater terrapins. They are found on most continents, some islands and, in the case of sea turtles, much of the ocean. Like other amniotes (reptiles, birds, and mammals) they breathe air and do not lay eggs underwater, although many species live in or around water.