Testudines (Noun)
Meaning
Tortoises and turtles.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The order Testudines includes over 300 species of tortoises and turtles that have a shell made of bony plates called scutes.
- Fossil records indicate that the Testudines have remained largely unchanged for millions of years, with some species retaining primitive characteristics.
- The shells of Testudines are made up of two main components: the dorsal carapace and the ventral plastron, which provide protection and support.
- Aquatic species of Testudines, such as sea turtles and soft-shelled turtles, tend to have more streamlined shells than their terrestrial counterparts.
- In general, the Testudines are ectothermic, meaning that they regulate their body temperature through external sources, such as sunlight or water.