Testudines (Order) – Turtles!
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.
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