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The Cryptodira suborder has four living superfamilies, the Chelonioidea (sea turtles), Testudinoidea (tortoises and pond turtles), Kinosternoidea (Central American river turtle and mud turtles) and Trionychoidea (soft-shell turtles and relatives).
Tortoises can vary in size with some species, such as the Galápagos giant tortoise, growing to more than 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) in length, whereas others like the Speckled cape tortoise have shells that measure only 6.8 centimetres (2.7 in) long. [2]
Megalochelys ("great turtle") is an extinct genus of tortoises that lived from the Miocene to Pleistocene.They are noted for their giant size, the largest known for any tortoise, with a maximum carapace length of over 2 m (6.5 ft) in M. atlas.
The Galápagos tortoise or Galápagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) is a very large species of tortoise in the genus Chelonoidis (which also contains three smaller species from mainland South America). The species comprises 15 subspecies (13 extant and 2 extinct).
Sea turtles, along with other turtles and tortoises, are part of the order Testudines. All species except the leatherback sea turtle are in the family Cheloniidae. The superfamily name Chelonioidea and family name Cheloniidae are based on the Ancient Greek word for tortoise: χελώνη (khelōnē). [16]
The marginated tortoise is the largest European tortoise, reaching a weight of up to 5 kg (11 lb) and a length of 35 cm (14 in). Its shell is oblong and has a notable thickness around the middle of the body.
In 1832, Jonathan the Seychelles giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea hololissa) was born. Although his exact birthdate is unknown, he has been given the official birthday of December 4, 1832.
The western Santa Cruz tortoise (Chelonoidis niger porteri) [1] is a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise endemic to Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos.They are found only on the southwestern slopes of the island, with an estimated range of 141 sq. kilometers.