Turtles and tortoises, though related, exhibit key differences. Turtles are primarily aquatic with streamlined shells and webbed feet, suited for swimming and varied diets. Tortoises are land-based, ...

Blanding's turtle is a threatened species in Iowa. (Photo courtesy of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources) Iowa is home to 13 wild turtle species, nearly all of which are in need of conservation ...

On a warm, spring day, it's not unusual to see a row of semi-aquatic turtles basking in the sun on a log floating in a pond, small lake, stream, or wetland. A few species are found statewide, but the ...

People often use the words turtle and tortoise interchangeably, but these reptiles have distinct differences: Turtle shells are typically more flattened and not as deeply domed as tortoise shells, but ...

Hatchling Wood Turtle emerging from a roadside nest in Virginia It’s that time of year, maybe you’ve already noticed. Animals are back and moving about and trying to reproduce. But in this age of ...

Keystone species are those that exist in an ecosystem to keep it functioning at its healthiest levels possible. These animals may be predators or herbivores. They may be large or small. The ...

While most turtles are wild, many are adopted as pets each year. Keep in mind that turtles are sometimes considered exotic pets, so there may be local or state laws that restrict their adoption. There ...

TUCSON, Ariz.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced final critical habitat protection today for the endangered Sonoyta mud turtle. These highly aquatic turtles are found only in Pima County, ...

River turtles face immense challenges from predators and environmental factors from birth. Despite remarkable reproductive adaptations like sperm storage, human-induced threats such as habitat ...