Find Request It
Cover Image

Turtles an extraordinary natural history 245 million years in the making

Turtles are a species of reptile at its evolutionary zenith, with an ancient lineage stretching back over 200 million years. Under their unmistakable shells, testament to their survival, they harbor a natural history of epochal proportions. This is the engrossing story Turtles tells. The book offers...

Full description

Saved in:
Main Author: Franklin, Carl J.
Format: Books Print Book
Language:English
Published: St. Paul, MN : Voyageur Press, 2007.
Subjects:
Turtles.
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Table of Contents:
  • Introduction
  • pt. 1. The life and lifestyle of turtles
  • 1. Chelonian taxonomy, form, and function
  • Taxonomy
  • Physical features
  • Skeletal system
  • Shell
  • Skull
  • Feet
  • Tail
  • Respiration
  • Sensory realm
  • 2. Ecology
  • Thermoregulation
  • Feeding and diet
  • Courtship and reproduction
  • Predators
  • Defense strategies
  • Seasonal periods of inactivity
  • Age
  • 3. The ancient origins of turtles
  • Jurassic chelonians
  • Chelonians of the Cretaceous
  • pt. 2. The diversity of modern chelonians
  • 4. Suborder Pleurodira : side-necked turtles
  • Family Chelidae : Austro-American side-necked turtles
  • Family Pelomedusidae : African side-necked turtles
  • Family Podocnemidae : South American river turtles and the Madagascan big-headed turtle
  • 5. Suborder Cryptodira : hidden-necked turtles
  • Family Carrettochelydidae : the Fly River turtle
  • Family Cheloniidae : sea turtles
  • Family Chelydridae : snapping turtles
  • Family dermatemydidae : the Central American river turtle
  • Family Dermochelyidae : the leatherback sea turtle
  • Family Emydidae : aquatic and terrestrial turtles
  • Family Geoemydidae : aquatic and terrestrial turtles
  • Family Kinosternidae : mud and musk turtles
  • Family Platysternidae : the big-headed turtle
  • Family Staurotypidae : giant musk turtles
  • Family Testudinidae : tortoises
  • Family Trionychidae : soft-shelled turtles
  • Appendix
  • Taxonomy of turtles
  • Conservation organizations
  • Index
  • About the author.

Similar Items