Reptiliana: Ultimate Reptile Resource

There are two Sub-orders under testudines:

Cryptodira:

• Family Chelydridae – Snapping Turtles
• Family Emydidae – Pond/ Box Turtles
• Family Testudinidae – Tortoises
• Family Geoemydidae – Asian River Turtles and Allies
• Family Carettochelyidae – Pignose Turtles
• Family Trionychidae – Softshell Turtles
• Family Dermatemydae – River Turtles
• Family Kinosternidae – Mud Turtles
• Family Cheloniidae – Sea Turtles
• Family Dermochelyidae – Leatherback Turtles

Sub Order Pleurodira:

• Family Chelidae – Austro American Sideneck Turtles
• Family Pelomedusidae Afro American Sideneck Turtles
• Family Podocnemididae – Madagascan Big Head Turtles

Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins are reptiles in the order Testudines, whose bodies are shielded by a special bony or cartilagenous shell developed from their ribs.

About 300 Species of this Order are alive today.