There are many different kinds of turtles throughout the world. They vary widely in size and in looks. However, in many ways they are all alike. They all have a covering of scales. They are like snakes and lizards, and they can live both on land and in water.
As winter comes, turtles go to sleep in the mud under the water through the cold weather.
All turtles hatch from eggs. In early summer, the turtle digs out a hollow in the soft ground. Here she lays her eggs, and covers them with earth and leaves them to hatch in the warm sun.
As soon as the baby turtles hatch, they head for the water, out of sight of their enemies the gulls, foxes, and other animals. The young turtles eat insects and small animals, and grow fast. Although the turtles spend much of their time in the water, they breathe in the air. When the full grown turtle is ready to lay eggs, she returns to the land and the turtle's life cycle begins again.
