I know this seems crazy but, do turtles really breathe through there butt?

Question

I have heard this and I have one, and this seems crazy to me. Can anyone find this out and let me know?

Answer 1

WHAT?
I have NEVER heard of that before!!

Answer 2

Yes and no.

The Fly River Turtle in Australia can absorb air from the water in two large, capillary-lined bursae just off the cloaca (bursae are sorts of pouches, the cloaca is the vent that they defecate, urinates, mate, and lay eggs through).

This species hunts in a deep river and spends long times in its hunting dives. It can absorb enough oxygen this way to stay under for about twice as long as most turtles.

Some other species may do something similar, but probably not to the same degree.

When hibernating under water, most species slowly circulate the cold water through their mouths and absorb oxygen through the tissues in the mouth and throat, and perhaps through the cloaca as well.

So... 'breathe through their butt' is not biologically accurate, but kinda, sorta what is happening.

Answer 3

i know all about turtles and yes there is one kind of turtle that does breath through his but and he is aqautic i forgot what kind he is and where he lives i seen it on animal planet the most exsteam he might not breath from his but but its got something to do with him staying under water for a long time but i think he does its called the fitzroy river turtle all turtles can exspell air but they cant breath from there coaca but hes type canand how he does it is that he takes oxigon from the water so it rerly comes up to breath or bask in the sun a nother name he is called is the white eyed stream diver and he lives in queensland australia river where the water has shallow rapids where the water is highly oxigonated and he is a sidenecked turtle

Answer 4

No, I don't think so. The only thing turtle-butt-related I can think of is that scene in The Truth about Cats and Dogs where Uma has to stick her finger up the turtle's butt so it will poke its little arms out of its shell and then she can give it a shot.

Don't they have nostrils? Little turtle nostrils? They breathe through those, I would think.

Answer 5

I shouldn't be surprised that ONLY ONE person so far (eiere) was able to answer this question correctly.

Yes, turtles can absorb oxygen through their butt. This takes place primarily during hibernation, when turtles do not surface for air.

Answer 6

In winter, during underwater hibernation, turtles can take water into their rectum and extract oxygen from it. The blood vessels in the rectum are numerous and it acts as a sort of "gill", for them.
In the winter, the cold temps greatly decrease the amount of oxygen needed to keep them alive, and this rectal breathing is sufficient during very cold weather.

Answer 7

Turtles breathe in the same way that we do - they inhale air into their lungs. Unlike us though they have to force air both in and out as their rib cage is fused to the shell - feel your ribs as you breathe, they expand and then contract to push the air out. Turtles, as they are cold blooded can go for longer periods without air and some can last for hours between breaths.

http://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/databases/FAQsLibrary/index.asp?FAQCategoryID=19&FAQID=204&SearchText=#question204

Answer 8

NO! They breathe through their mouth and nose. Not through their butt. Amphibians breathe through their skin which is a true fact and i think its cool.

Answer 9

Only when they 'breathe' out like the rest of us.

Answer 10

umm no. Turttle have lungs and breathe through the nose.