Why are Turtles So Slow?
Whenever the conversation of slow animals comes up, I bet a turtle pops up in your head. You might have heard the story of the race between a turtle and a hare, where surprisingly, the turtle won. Turtles live in the wild. They also make great pets. But have you ever wondered why these animals are so painstakingly slow? If your answer is affirmative, here is why turtles are slow.
Spoiler Alert: It’s Not Just the Shell
Most people assume that a turtle’s shell is what makes it move so slowly. But that’s far from the truth. The main culprits are survival and evolution. A turtle’s lifestyle does not need speed. These animals are herbivores, so they don’t need to chase prey. Neither does a turtle need to hide from predators since the shell is enough protection.
Besides, moving slowly is like a protection mechanism. If turtles moved fast, there would be the risk of falling, resulting in broken bones, sprains, bruises, and in the worst-case scenario, a broken shell. But moving slowly prevents such incidences, which helps them live for a long time. Another link between their slow motion and long life is that moving slowly doesn’t consume so much energy. That means they can survive for long periods without food.
However, we cannot rule out the shell entirely. Most evolutionary anthropologists argue that pre-shell turtles were faster than the turtles we have today. Inarguably, the shell inhibits a turtle’s range of motion and flexibility. It also adds significant weight for turtles to carry around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the commonly asked questions regarding turtles’ speed.
How slow do turtles move?
The speed at which a turtle moves depends on whether it’s on dry land or water. When walking on dry land, the average speed of a turtle is about 2mph (3.2km/h). But inside the water, a turtle can swim at an average speed of 10 mph (16km/h). However, you can come across a turtle that can move as fast as 22 mph (35km/h). Others move as slow as 0.23 mph (0.37 km/h).
It would be tough to determine the fastest turtle in the world since turtles sometimes snap but only maintain a high speed for a few seconds. Nevertheless, some species have proven to be faster than others. For instance, the soft-shell turtle is the fastest on land, with an average speed of 3 mph (4.8 km/h). Its high speed can be attributed to its relatively lighter shell since it doesn’t have bony scales.
The leatherback sea turtle would easily pass for the fastest turtle in the water. It can swim at a speed of 22 mph (35km/h). Considering that these turtles weigh around 1500 pounds, that speed is impressive.
What about the other extreme? On the slowest side, we have the Giant Galapagos tortoise. Its average speed is around 1 mph (1.6 km/h). These turtles are relatively heavy – some have reached the weight of 880 pounds. But the slow motion indeed pays off because they hit ages of over 100 years.
Are sloths slower than turtles?
You would be surprised that there are animals that move slower than turtles. Among these animals are sloths. On average, a sloth covers only 5ft/min on the ground and 15 ft/min when climbing a tree. Like turtles, sloths are also herbivorous. They also have a low metabolic rate and a low body temperature. Surprisingly, a sloth can take up to a month to digest a single meal.
Can a turtle run?
Some land turtles can run when the situation calls for it. For instance, if you startle a turtle, it can increase its speed by several miles per hour. However, don’t expect to see the turtle lift its body up and down like other animals do when running. Moving their bodies in such as manner would consume much energy, a luxury they cannot afford.
Can all turtles swim?
There are over 350 species of turtles – found on all continents except Antarctica and in most states. All except one type of turtle can swim, the exception being the tortoise. Other turtles have flippers, while tortoises have feet. At best, a tortoise can do is float on the surface. But the tortoise will tire and sink if it stays in the water for a long time.
Notably, turtles are natural swimmers. So, if you notice that a turtle is struggling to swim, it could be due to illness or injury. It could also be due to prolonged exposure to shallow water. If your turtle is used to shallow water, you can gradually introduce it to deeper levels.
What illnesses affect turtles?
As I have mentioned, turtles struggle to swim when they are struggling with illness. A common disease among turtles is respiratory infection. They catch a cold like humans – but just more severe. If left untreated, your turtle could lose its life. You might also observe that your turtle is heavy on one side, usually a sign of pneumonia.
Can turtles drown?
Unlike other aquatic animals, turtles do not have gills. They breathe through their lungs. That means they cannot breathe underwater, opening the possibility of drowning. However, they have adaptations to help them stay underwater for a long time. For instance, they move water across their outer shells and scales, which contain red blood cells. These cells can absorb small amounts of oxygen without the turtle having to breathe physically. That way, a turtle can hold its breath for 4-7 hours. Even though turtles can drown, they rarely do. The only time a turtle is likely to drown is if it doesn’t have a basking spot on the surface, so it continues swimming until it’s exhausted. Some species, such as painted turtles and loggerheads, are not likely to drown since they are comfortable staying in the water for long. On the other hand, species like box turtles and mud turtles are at a higher risk of drowning.
Why are turtles slow on land and faster on water?
We’ve established that turtles move faster in water, and you might wonder why. One justification for this observation is the fact that most turtles live their lives in the water. Therefore, it’s a no-brainer that most of their enemies are in the water, so they have to swim faster to protect themselves.
Besides, they have biological advantages in the water. For instance, they have flippers, which are not muscular enough to move fast on land. Plus, these legs are too tiny for such a heavy body. There is also a possibility that turtles slow down on the ground to avoid shell injury.
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