I need to know whether ordinary turtles (NOT sea turtles) like those who live on the land in dry climates (they are no bigger than ca. 25 cm long) can swim.
Don't their heavy shells cause them to drown if they try?
2007-02-22 06:40:08 · 9 answers · asked by swallowbutterfly 1 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
as far as I know, they do not swim. I have had land tortoises before when I was a little girl and lived in florida, two of them were wild and lived in the garden. one of them drowned when we had a particularly heavy rain and flooded their burrow, the surviving one was found out of the burrow and under a tree
2007-02-22 06:44:54 · answer #1 · answered by dances with cats 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many land turtles, also called tortoises, cannot swim. Some box turtles or other land turtles will float, which allows them to be able to go into the water and not drown. But we've had other turtles that sink to the bottom, and no, land turtles can't swim. You can put water in with land turtles but don't put it close to over their head.
2007-02-22 13:13:06 · answer #2 · answered by ace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water turtles yes. As long as they still have some water they should be fine. Land turtles may be able to swim if they have webbed feet.
2016-05-23 23:30:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
OFF COURSE THEY CAN'T SWIM. Almost all sea creatures have some typed of webbed appendage or flippers, like a ducks feet, seals flippers, or a fish's fins. Sea turtles have webbing between their toes and can exhale air from certain parts of their bodies into other parts causing them to dive and they'll readjust the air which will cause them to float to the surface. Land turtles feet are made for walking, much like a fish's fins are made for swimming through water. Can a fish walk? Nope.
2007-02-22 06:51:24 · answer #4 · answered by gregthedesigner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a preserve in southwest Florida that protects both sea turtles and Gopher Turtles (land) signs every where warn not to throw the land turtles in the ocean because they cannot swim.
2007-02-22 06:49:31 · answer #5 · answered by Mom of Four 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes the heavy shells cause them to drown, and also if you notice land turtles arms are small when sea turtels are long for swimming.
2007-02-22 06:42:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most tortoises float... sort of. They are usually a little bouyant and can swim well enough to be OK in their habitats. Occasionally, they end up in rivers, ponds, or even the ocean and can be OK.
2007-02-22 07:54:53 · answer #7 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
land turles can't swim. I released one as a child in the water, some one had to save it
2007-02-22 06:43:33 · answer #8 · answered by Monet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no in fact i have a 3 inch turtle that hates water and if it falls in deep water it peddles and it just floats if or isn't she paddling in the water
2014-01-19 09:09:53 · answer #9 · answered by VirginPussy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋