Section 18.3-- Turtles, Crocodilians, and Tuatara Flashcards
(39 cards)
a reptile with a shell nd toothless jaw
turtle
the upper shell of a turtle that is fused to the turtle’s ribs and thoracic vertebrae
carapace
the turtle’s lower shell which is fused to the clavicles
plastron
the dorsal carapace and the belly plastron are joined along the sides of the body by a bony
bridge
the shell has an inner layer of bone, which is divided into sections called
plates
the tough, horny outer layer of the shell that is divided into sections arranged in a symmetrical pattern
shields
although turtles are toothless and thus cannot grind their food, they can chop their food with their
sharp and powerful jaws
although all turtles have _____________, their ribcage cannot expand and contract for breathing as in other reptiles
lungs
a turtle’s __________________________ are on the sides of its head
tympanic membranes (eardrums)
the transparent membrane which moves sideways across the eye and helps turtles to see more clearly underwater
nictitating membrane
the largest group of turtles
freshwater
freshwater turtles are classified into either
hard-shelled or soft-shelled
type of freshwater turtle that has a flat, hardened carapace made of large keratin scales
hard-shelled
examples of hard-shelled freshwater turtles
snapping turtles
painted turtles
the heaviest freshwater turtle
alligator snapping turtle
examples of semiterrestrial (can swim but spend a lot of time on land) turtles
box turtle
red-eared slider
type of freshwater turtle that has a round, flat carapace covered with flexible leathery skin
soft-shelled
the largest living turtles
marine turtle
differs from other sea turtles in that it is covered with leathery skin instead of scales
leatherback
reserved for land turtles with feet and claws suitable for terrestrial life , large sturdy limbs
tortoise
one of the world’s largest living land turtles and the longest-living animal
Galapagos tortoise
large, thick-skinned, long-tailed aquatic reptiles
the largest living reptiles
crocodilians
both the ________________ and the ________ have broad triangular-shaped snouts and concealed lower teeth
alligator
caiman
have narrower snouts and some protruding lower teeth
crocodiles