Question

Which of the following are exclusively marine?

• A. Terrapins
• B. Tortoises
• C. Terrapins and turtles
• D. Turtles

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Turtles

Turtle is a reptile with a body encased in a bony shell, including tortoises. Although, numerous animals, from invertebrates to mammals, have evolved shells, none has an architecture like that of turtles. They are exclusively marine in nature.

The diamondback terrapin is believed to be the only turtle in the world that lives exclusively in brackish water (containing some salt, but not as much as ocean water), habitats like tidal marshes, estuaries, and lagoons. Most terrapins hibernate during the winter by burrowing into the mud of marshes.

A tortoise habitat is usually a dry region of lands such as a grassland, savannah, or desert, since they are largely land-based animals, unlike turtles, their close cousins, that have webbed front feet and prefer aquatic homes. Tortoises are spread all over the globe, with some marine species existing entirely within the confines of the ocean, so a tortoise habitat can vary a great deal depending on the particular species of animal.

So, the correct answer is option D.