Turtle Species Around the World: From the Adorable Box Turtle to the Enormous Leatherback

   Turtles are some of the most unique and fascinating creatures on Earth, with an incredibly diverse variety of species around the world. From tiny box turtles to monstrous leatherbacks, these ancient reptiles come in all shapes and sizes. This article will explore some of the many turtle species found around the world and explain why each one is so special.
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​   The first turtle species we will look at is the adorable Box Turtle. These small turtles usually measure between 4-6 inches long and weigh less than a pound. They have distinctive markings on their shells and are very shy when approached by humans. Their natural habitats are wooded areas with plenty of moisture and shelter, such as forests or meadows. In addition to being cute, box turtles are also resilient - they can hold their breath for up to four hours!

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   Next on our list is likely the most well-known turtle species: the Red-eared Slider. Named after their distinct “red ear” patches, these mid-sized turtles typically range from 6-12 inches long and weigh up to two pounds. They can be found in fresh water habitats throughout North America and parts of Central America and South America as well. These inquisitive reptiles love to bask in sunlight but also stay active underwater for up to three hours at a time!

   Moving onto larger turtle species now, we reach arguably one of the most impressive: The Leatherback Sea Turtle. This giant reptile measures up to 6 feet long and 1,000 pounds! Its unique shell is made entirely out of cartilage rather than bone like other turtles – this helps it move more quickly through water while also allowing it to dive deeper into depths that few other sea creatures can handle. Leatherbacks can be found swimming in tropical waters around the globe as they migrate thousands of miles every year in search of food.
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   Our next stop brings us all the way back down in size, with another small turtle known as Cagle’s Map Turtle. These freshwater dwellers typically grow no larger than 5 inches long and can be identified by their bright yellow stripes along their carapace (the upper part of its shell). Like red-eared sliders, map turtles enjoy basking in sunlight; however they tend to live longer lives than their distant relatives – some even reaching 30 years old!
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   Finally we’ll take a look at a unique type of sea turtle known as Hawksbill Turtles which get their name from a distinct shaped bill shaped like a hawk’s beak! These medium-sized reptiles measure about 2 feet long and weigh up 45 pounds when fully grown - although much smaller than leatherbacks they can still be quite impressive underwater swimmers due to thin body shape that allows them slip through tight crevices in coral reefs with ease! Hawksbills are mainly found in tropical parts of both hemispheres but can occasionally be spotted near coastal temperate regions too – making them great visitors for anyone living near an oceanic area!

   There you have it; just a few examples out of many different types of amazing turtle species around Earth today! Whether large or small, aquatic or land-dwelling - every type is special in its own way; so take care not only to preserve them but also appreciate them while they continue swimming through rivers & oceans from prehistoric times until the present day!