turtle evolution prediction by $erena O., eli A., Olivia C., and nathanial c.
over time, the turtle has evolved to be better protected. Believe it or not, at one point the turtle didn't have a shell. over the years, turtles got their shoulder blades and hips inside their ribcage. The turtle later got a shell. Turtles are very closely related to birds and snakes. so how did this creature turn into what we now know today as a turtle? it's called evolution. evolution is when an animal adapts to better survive in its environment. When animals that have not adapted die and animals that have adapted survive it's called natural selection. Even though the turtle has changed a lot already, is it really safe? some of the turtle's predators are the raccoon, large cats and crocodiles. all of which are mainly on land. the average turtle can only walk 3 to 4 mph, so it is vulnerable to many predator attacks. We predict that the turtle will grow gills so that it can stay in the water for long periods of time. although it will be safe from land predators, the average turtle can only swim 10 to 12 mph. So we also predict that the turtle's tail will become a fin. and finally, its feet will become flippers so that it can swim faster. Through Evolution the turtle will be safer and faster. Who wouldn't want to see a turtle that is swimming as fast as Michel Phelps? Bibliography http://www.whateats.com/?s=turtle https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2013/06/02/turtle-origins/ http://hypertextbook.com/facts/1999/RachelShweky.shtml Another reason for the New turtle evolution: who wants to wait around for this guy?