Vet Guide 2025: 5 Surprising Turtle Facts by Dr Duncan Houston 🩺🐢

Hello! I’m Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc and founder of Ask A Vet. Turtles are ancient creatures full of fascinating adaptations. In this 2025 guide, I highlight five remarkable facts about turtles—from their shells and breathing to lifespans, sex determination, and conservation. Let's dive into these chelonian wonders and learn how to care for them better. 🌿

1. Shells Are Part of Their Skeleton 🦴

Turtles' shells are not just protective armor—they are fused bones, including the spine and ribs, covered by keratin scutes. This bony structure grows with the turtle and cannot be shed or outgrown :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. Understanding this is essential for spotting shell issues like cracks, rot, or deformities, and ensuring proper calcium and UVB support.

2. Turtles Can “Breathe” Through Their Rear 🌀

Some freshwater species (e.g., painted turtles, Fitzroy river turtles) use cloacal respiration: they extract oxygen through vascularized tissue in their cloaca, allowing underwater breathing during hibernation :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}. As caretakers, enabling access to clean water, suitable temperatures, and hibernation protocols helps support this unique adaptation.

3. Sex Is Determined by Egg Temperature 🌡️

Turtle sex is often temperature-dependent: warmer nests produce more females, cooler nests more males :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}. For breeders and conservationists, careful incubation control (±1 °F precision) helps manage sex ratios and healthy hatchling output.

4. Many Live 50–150 Years or More ⏳

Turtles are among Earth's longest-lived animals: aquatic turtles often reach 30–40 years, while tortoises and sea turtles can live 100+—with individuals recorded over 150 years :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}. Their slow aging means owners must plan for long-term care, proper habitat upgrades, and medical histories spanning decades.

5. Turtles Are Among the Most Threatened Species 🚨

Nearly half of all turtle and tortoise species are classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}. Threats include habitat loss, pollution, climate change (affecting nests), and pet trade. Responsible ownership—including preventing escapes, avoiding non-native releases, and supporting conservation—helps protect these treasured animals.

Practical Care Takeaways 🛠️

• Support shell health with UVB lighting, calcium supplementation, and clean habitats.
• Provide deep, clean water and stable temperatures for cloacal breathing and possible cooling/hibernation.
• If incubating eggs, use thermostatic control to manage sex ratios.
• Create a long-term care plan—habitat expansion, veterinary support, and financial reserves.
• Stay informed on conservation status; consider rescue/adoption rather than buying wild-caught turtles.

How Ask A Vet Can Help You 🩺

The Ask A Vet app supports turtle owners with species-specific guidance—whether you’re diagnosing shell problems, monitoring cloacal health, managing breeding/incubation, or planning life-long care. Send photos, water logs, and habitat questions anytime. Visit AskAVet.com 🐢📱

Final Thoughts

Turtles hold secrets dating back to prehistoric times, yet they continue to surprise us—from breathing tricks and skeleton structure to their incredible lifespans and conservation status. As caretakers, understanding these traits shapes better care and fuels our role in species protection. With the support of Ask A Vet, your shelled companion can thrive now and for generations to come. 🩺🌿

— Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc