Turtles are one of the oldest reptile species. These are unique animals that are able to survive in the most severe conditions of existence. Some species are well adapted to low temperatures, others to high ones. Some subspecies of reptiles are able to live without food and water for several years, and some are able to live without oxygen for more than 10 hours. Their size is also striking, which can be as small as a few centimeters, or reach 1-2 or more meters.
The ranking shows the largest turtles in the world in size and body weight.
10. Cayman Turtle | 35 cm
Cayman Turtle (35 cm) is one of the smallest in size turtles, among the largest. Their length can reach 35 cm. The animal weighs 14 kg. Some individuals can weigh up to 30 kg. This species is common in Canada, as well as in the Eastern and Central regions of the United States. The habitat is water bodies, where there is a lot of silt. This makes turtles easy to dig in for the winter, where they hibernate. At the same time, this species is resistant to cold and can move both under ice and on ice in the cold season. Individuals feed on small representatives of the underwater world, including carrion. The cayman species is often hunted in the USA, since the meat of these turtles is quite popular and edible among local residents.
9. Trachemys tortoise | 37 cm
Pond slider (37 cm) - a species of freshwater turtles, which is common in America and Mexico. Females are noticeably larger than males: the length of the carapace for females is 37 cm, and for males - 20 cm. The turtle got its name because of red spots located on the side of the head. The animal chooses a place to live in marshy, dirty ponds. Turtles prefer to lead a sedentary lifestyle, but in the presence of danger they react very quickly and quickly hide. They easily adapt to life in captivity and, with proper care, can live up to 50 years. To contain them, you need a 200 liter aquarium.
8. Fringed tortoise | 40 cm
Fringed tortoise 40 cm belongs to the family of snake-necked. This species has a rather peculiar and bizarre appearance: a large, triangular head, a nose in the form of a long process, a thin and long neck, and the carapace (carapace) is a pyramidal shape with growths. The length of the carapace is 40 cm, and the mass of an adult is 15 kg. Another name for the turtle sounds like a matamata. The species is common in South America, Brazil, Peru and in many other eastern and northern countries. The habitat selects reservoirs with stagnant water. This species prefers to eat exclusively fish. In ideal conditions, mats can live up to 40-75 years.
7. Spurred tortoise | 75 cm
Spurred tortoise (75 cm) - one of the largest land turtles. The average size of the shell of this species is 75 cm. There is evidence that the tortoise can reach 1 m along the length of the shell. The mass of the female is about 60 kg, of the males - 100 kg. The habitat of amphibians is the deserts of Africa. Basically, these are herbivores that can easily do without water for a long time. They grow very quickly and by the age of 20 reach the indicated sizes. The number of species has been declining recently due to hunting for them and destruction of habitats. In captivity, turtles are able to live for more than 50 years.
6. Arrau (Tartaruga) | 1 meter
Arrau (Tartaruga) (1m) - one of the largest freshwater animals living in Brazil, Bolivia and other northern countries. The length of an adult is an average of 1 meter or more. The turtle feeds on various plants and insects. Arrara weighs about 70 kg. This species is now actively studied in the wild, but there is no data on the life expectancy of tartaruga.
5. Gigantic Seychelles tortoise | 120 cm
Gigantic Seychelles tortoise (120 cm) - a rare species of land turtles. The average size of a land animal is 120cm. The habitat is the island of Aldabra. There they can be found in the open spaces, overgrown with tall grass and shrubs. Giant turtles feed mainly on grass. In captivity, turtles can live up to 150 years. The Advaita turtle is the oldest representative of this animal species: it died at the age of 250. Therefore, this is not only one of the largest species of turtles, but also one of the record for longevity.
4. Vulture tortoise | 140 cm
Vulture turtle (140 cm) looks similar to the cayman view, but much larger. The average size of the shell of the animal is 140 cm. The species is common in the southeastern United States. Their mass is relatively small and reaches 60 kg. Freshwater animals feed mainly on fish. In favorable conditions, individuals survive to 80 years. The turtle is considered very aggressive, especially males during the breeding season. If a giant doesn’t like something, he can bite. This type of meat is used to make turtle soup. This is one of the largest, but lightweight turtles.
3. Green Turtle | 150 cm
“Green turtle”(150 cm) opens the top three the most gigantic turtles in the world. The length of the sea animal is 150 cm, and the mass can reach 200 kg. The animal got its name because of the olive-green color, but individuals with a dark brown color are often found. Giants live in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. The turtle is also called soup, as its meat was used for the preparation of first courses. But due to the active hunting of the species, their numbers decreased significantly. Therefore, hunting for green turtles is currently prohibited. On average, a turtle lives 80 years.
2. Elephant Galapagos tortoise | 180 cm
Galapagos elephant tortoise (180 cm) - a real land giant. Its length exceeds 180 cm, and the mass reaches - 400 kg! These turtles inhabit the Galapagos Islands and feed on plants and shrubs that are considered poisonous. Currently, this species is listed in the Red Book, as it is under threat of extinction. Until recently, there were 11 subspecies of this animal. In 2012, the only representative of the eleventh subspecies, who was nicknamed Lone George, died. The turtle died at the age of 100, without giving birth. Representatives of the species of elephant turtles are able to live up to 200 years of age.
1. Leatherback turtle | 2 meters
Leatherback turtle (2 m) - the largest species of turtles in the world. On average, the length of this species is 2 meters. The body of one of the individuals measured 2.6 m! The mass of the turtle reaches 600kg. The giant lives in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It feeds mainly on marine animals. With such an impressive size, the life expectancy of animals is relatively small: 20-30 years. The species of the largest tortoise in the world is listed in the Red Book and is under protection.
A representative of this species is listed in the Guinness Book of Records, to which scientists gave the name Archelon. The length of the archhelon was more than 4 meters, and it weighed about 2 tons. This is the largest tortoise known to the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROem-cmc5Zo