More and more people are raising turtles and tortoises as pets. While we know they are reptiles, there are some interesting facts that you may not be aware of yet. Here are some of them:

• Turtles evolved long before mammals, birds, crocodiles, and even snakes. They are said to inhabit the earth for more than 200 million years. The earliest turtles were unable to retract their heads and had teeth.
• The American Box Turtle and several other species of turtles can live to be over a hundred years old. A documented case involved an adult Indian Ocean Giant Tortoise which was estimated to be 50 years old when captured, and lived for another 152 years while in captivity.
• Turtles can thrive in every continent except Antarctica. While most species don’t tolerate cold weather, the Blanding’s turtle has been spotted swimming under the ice in the Great Lakes region. Turtles need warm climate to complete their breeding cycle.
• Turtles possess an excellent sense of smell and eyesight. Even their shell contains nerve endings.

 For more information ask your Brookfield vet about turtle and tortoise care. Check out this site.