87 Turtles Ancient SymbolModern Survivor

CHAPTER 1 Turtle Basics TURTLES ARE AMONG THE OLDEST ANIMAL SPECIES STILL ALIVE. THEY ARE DEFINITELY THE OLDEST REPTILE. We have evidence of turtles, found in ancient fossils, dating as far back as 220 million years. They are great survivors, but they aren't just one thing. There are about 300 species of turtles, including tortoises. They look similar, and people often use the word "turtle" for both animals, but there are big differences between turtles and tortoises. There are many similarities, too. All turtle species, including sea turtles and tortoises, lay many eggs, and they lay them on land.

Unlike most mammal species, neither turtles nor tortoises care for their young. Once an egg hatches, the baby is on its own! Turtles and tortoises have adapted to habitats on all continents, except Antarctica. Some species live in tropical rainforests, whereas others live in dry savannas. Africa has the widest variety of turtle and tortoise species. The diets of turtles and tortoises have adapted, too. Some eat meat, some eat plants, and some eat plants, animals, and insects. They both store food and water very well. Some species can live a year without eating or drinking!

CHAPTER 2 Symbols and Significance THE TURTLE IS AN ANCIENT CREATURE. IT IS COUSIN TO THE DINOSAURS THAT ONCE WALKED OUR EARTH. The turtle can help us imagine what our world must have been like before human beings ever lived. This long history, and the fact that turtles and tortoises can be found in almost all parts of the world, may explain why the turtle has played such a significant role in so many cultures, both around the world and throughout history. Turtles are often found in the traditional stories and songs of native people across North America, Asia, Africa, and South America. They are especially popular in China, Japan, Korea, and island cultures of the South Pacific.

But no matter where the story or song comes from, there are interesting similarities in the characteristics of the turtle. It seems that, all around the world, turtle symbolism includes some of the characteristics we most admire in human beings: innocence, patience, strength, steadiness, endurance, protectiveness, order, and wisdom. For example, most people know the fable of the tortoise and the hare, written by the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop. The fable is about a fast but arrogant hare that loses a race to a slow but determined turtle. "Slow and steady wins the race" is the message we take from this story. The message, of course, can be applied to life, too: concentrate on the job in front of you, avoid being careless and over-confident, and you will have success. The turtle can be found in more recent, but equally popular, literary works, too. English fantasy writer Terry Pratchett has written 40 novels in his series Discworld. His books take place on Discworld, a flat planet that sits on the backs of four enormous elephants. These elephants stand on the back of a giant turtle as it swims through space.

The idea of a world resting on elephants standing on the back of a turtle may seem fantastic and unique. But Pratchett did not invent it. He was inspired by a well- known Hindu creation myth (a story about the creation of the universe). In this story, the Earth is supported by elephants standing on the back of a turtle. In fact, this idea is repeated in many other cultures. A turtle holding up the Earth and skies can also be found in Chinese stories. The rounded carapace, or top part of the shell, is a symbol of the heavens, and the plastron, the flat underside of the shell protecting the animal itself, is seen as the Earth.

Across the ocean, in the traditional cultures of North America, turtles and tortoises are also viewed as symbols of the creation of the world and the universe. In some of these creation myths, the turtle created Earth by collecting and piling up mud from the bottom of the sea. In others, the quietly reliable turtle offered his strong shell as the base on which all other animals could build their world. The turtle also has other symbolic meanings. Because turtles live so long, they are viewed as a symbol of long life and the wisdom that comes from living for many years. In African children's stories, for example, the tortoise is always the cleverest character and likes to play tricks on others. Even in Western culture today, turtles in cartoons often wear glasses, a sign of being smart or a good student.