What is an alternative breathing method for turtles?

Question

just wondering if anyone else has heard of this...

Answer 1

I read an article somewhere that they breath through their butt.
Here is one I saw:
The source is "The Encyclopedia of
Australian Reptiles," by Allen E. Greer, of the Herpetology Section of
the Australian Museum:

"Aquatic respiration. As far as in known, all chelids have cloacal
bursae (Smith and James, 1958). These are two large diverticula
arising from the side of the cloaca. The cloacal bursae are almost
certainly an organ of gas exchange in water. In other words, the
turtles can respire through their bums. All chelids are probably able
to meet at least some of their gas exchange requirements (oxygen in,
carbon dioxide out) through cloacal respiration, but none can meet all
of their requirements this way. In addition to cloacal respiration,
chelids can also breath though their lungs and probably through their
skin. The morphology of the interior lining of the cloacal bursae is
probably a rough guide as to how much of their total repiration is
carried out through the bursae. Some species have relatively smooth
linings whereas others have highly evaginated linings, the projects
providing a very extensive surface area for gas exchange."

http://www.amonline.net.au/herpetology/research/pdf/chelidae.pdf

Answer 2

Turtles breath through their nose and mouth in normal activities.

When hibernating, pond turtles can pump air into their mouths and absorb the air from the cold water.

SOME turtles can absorb water into the cloaca- the vent that turtles use for defecation and reproduction. These are turtles that dive deeply while hunting- and they still use normal breathing most of the time.

This last technique is sometimes referred to as 'breathing through the butt'- which is not accurate, but catchy!

http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

Answer 3

Other than breathing surface air, some aquatic turtles have a patch on their throat/neck where they can absorb oxygen through the skin - helpful when you're hibernating in pond mud over the winter!

Some also have a similar patch near their anus: http://www.tortoisereserve.org/Sundry/Hibernate_Body2.html

Answer 4

I heard they just came out with turtle capable snorkles... but dont hold me to this becuase this isnt coming from a direct source.

Answer 5

the alternative is when I digest them ,
I love turtle soup with red onions and dumplings

Answer 6

lungs thats all turtles got

Answer 7

they have lungs

they dont breath under water! ha

Answer 8

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/011116.html hope this answers your question.