Turtles are reptiles, most of whose body is shielded by a special bony or cartilagenous shell developed from their ribs. The earliest turtles being known from the early Triassic Period, making turtles one of the oldest reptile groups, and a much more ancient group than the lizards and snakes.
In British English it is normal to describe these reptiles as turtles, terrapins, or tortoises depending on whether they live in the sea, in fresh water, or on land, respectively.
About 300 species are alive today. Some species of turtles are highly endangered.
Information source: Wikipedia
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