2006-10-10 04:40:53 · 9 answers · asked by ? 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Turtles, like all reptiles, have LUNGS! They have to
breathe air. They must come to the surface to breathe.
They can go anything from a few seconds to several
hours (when they sleep) to several weeks (when they
hibernate in winter) without extra air.
They also store air in their cloaca. They particularly
draw on this air during hibernation. So, how does this
work?
All tissues are more or less permeable to various
molecules. In the lungs, capillaries are as close to the
surface of the body as possible, they practically "touch"
the air. Exchange of O2 and CO2 easily takes place through
the skin. Gills work in the same way, just in water.
Intestinal tissue also has a lot of capillaries close to the
surface for the purpose of absorbing nutrients. However,
since the gas exchange is simple osmosis, nothing prevents
this (or any other tissue high in capillaries) from
also taking on O2. For example, we all breathe through the
skin, even in water! If a human's skin was completely covered to make it air-tight, the human would suffocate.
2006-10-10 04:51:13 · answer #1 · answered by jasonstroble 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In addition to using their lungs for breathing, turtles have developed supplemental forma of respiration. Some aquatic turtle species bring water in through their nasal passages and into their mouths and throat where oxygen is extracted by the pharynx. This is done through the pharyngeal lining which acts as a gill. Some turtles take water into their anal opening where two sacs are filled and emptied with water, causing a slow current which enables oxygen to be collected. One fresh water turtle in Australia has cloacal gills for respiration. Turtles are also capable of containing larger concentrations of carbon dioxide in their blood than most other air-breathing animals, therefore, they are able to use their oxygen supply very efficiently over a long period of time. Both blood and muscle tissue can store oxygen in large quantities, helping the turtle to remain underwater for long periods of time.....I'd say butt breathing NO! lol
2006-10-10 04:49:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES and NO..The Fitzroy River turtle can indeed breathe through the cloaca(butt area)...That is the only one... There had been a misleading impression that all turtles can do so--not true. Just this one "side-necked" turtles (like the Fitzroy River guy) can, but the vast majority of turtles either don't have cloacal bursae, or have them but can't use them for breathing.
2006-10-10 04:52:15 · answer #3 · answered by Richard K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to my doctor, the turtles shoved into my nose and mouth can breathe through their butt, so I don't have to worry about them suffocating.
So now , I just have to start working on breathing through my own butt.
2006-10-10 04:42:54 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The turtles digestive system is not connected to its Pulmonary system.
2006-10-10 04:49:22 · answer #5 · answered by Teacher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i honestly don't know but if they can i would like somebody to give me a website link for some proof
2006-10-10 04:48:34 · answer #6 · answered by blueking_456 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard that too... I would have to say no. That would be weird!
2006-10-10 04:43:09 · answer #7 · answered by wibiggurl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No dear.
2006-10-10 04:46:47 · answer #8 · answered by Jack 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hahaha. No, I don't think they do.
2006-10-10 04:44:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋