Turtles can swim and hold their breath underwater but how long can a turtle hold its breath? Join us as we explore the topic.
Did you know that some ocean turtles can hold their breath underwater for several hours? This is something they can easily achieve when they are not active, since they need less oxygen in their bloodstreams when they’re resting or effectively hibernating beneath the waves.
However, under ordinary circumstances, a turtle in the ocean might need to surface every few minutes to take on air due to the necessary activity of finding food or migrating.
We’re taking a look at sea turtles here for fun, but remember, your pet tortoise is a land creature. Tortoises are not the same as sea turtles and should not be submerged underwater.
How can a turtle hold its breath for so long?
Since some turtles have been known to stay underwater for up to seven hours, you might wonder just how they achieve this impressive feat. The answer is all in the unique adaptations in their anatomy, possibly developed over thousands or millions of years.
Here are some cool things about turtles that allow them to hold their breath for so long:
- They have big, efficient lungs – With big lungs comes a greater capacity to take on oxygen, and they’re also great at filling up quickly.
- Slow metabolism – They may be known for being slow generally, but the ability to slow their metabolic rate means they need less oxygen too.
- Adapted tissue – Turtles have adapted over time to handle low oxygen levels, allowing them to function underwater on a limited supply of oxygen in their blood.
- Retention of oxygen – Due to a higher concentration of myoglobin in their blood, turtles can store oxygen as a reserve for when blood-oxygen levels are low.
As you can see, turtles are fascinating creatures with a whole host of hidden skills, and these are only a few of those that help them to hold their breath underwater.
Can a tortoise hold its breath underwater?
While tortoises are from the Testudines or Chelonia reptile families, and therefore a type of turtle, they are not the same as ocean turtles. Tortoises are land-dwelling, and despite their many similarities with the aforementioned turtles, their bodies haven’t evolved the same mechanisms that allow them to hold their breath underwater.
Tortoises are not meant to be fully submerged underwater, so if you do add a small pool into their enclosure it should only be very shallow. Always make sure there is a way for your tortoise to get out of the water as this removes the risk of them becoming distressed and drowning.
A shallow pool of water might be something your tortoise uses to cool off in or drink from, but they definitely won’t want to swim or go underwater. If you need tips about creating the perfect living environment for your tortoise, think about its natural environment on land.
Can a terrapin hold its breath underwater?
Terrapins are slightly different to tortoises and do actually like to swim, which is why they need a dedicated enclosure or a secure pond. In a similar manner to sea turtles, a terrapin can hold its breath for hours if not fully active, but will need to surface to take on oxygen.
Can turtles survive on land?
While turtles that traditionally live in the ocean can make their way onto land – and stay there for an extended period – they are not meant to be out of the water for long. As an aquatic creature, they are fully adapted to living in the water where they can stay hydrated and feed.
If you see a shelled reptile living its life happily on land, you’re probably looking at a tortoise, and if you go snorkelling and are lucky enough to come across a shelled reptile, it’s likely to be an ocean turtle.
Other key differences between ocean turtles and tortoises
It’s common to confuse your tortoise for the same creatures you see majestically gliding beneath the ocean surface. Here are five more ways in which these two reptiles differ:
- Their age – Both animals can live a very long time, often up to 100 years. However, tortoises have been known to live much longer than that!
- Migration – Ocean turtles will travel great distances to migrate and establish nesting sites, while tortoises don’t tend to migrate, instead burrowing in shallow pits on land.
- Their legs – While a tortoise has legs that look more like an elephant’s, ocean turtles have flippers that have evolved specifically to help them swim more efficiently.
- Conservation status – While many ocean turtle species are considered to be endangered, only some tortoises are endangered. This can vary depending on the specific species, but it’s largely down to a loss or change in their natural habitats.
- Their shells – Want to tell an ocean turtle and a tortoise apart? Check out their shells. The ocean turtle has a flatter, more streamlined shell shape for swimming, while a tortoise’s shell is more domed and is a lot heavier to help protect them from predators on land.