What Really Happened With Turtles? [Ancient Tales vs. Science]
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Turtles have been around a long, long time. I’m talking before the dinosaurs got their eviction notice. But ask a few ancient cultures how turtles got here, and you’ll get some pretty wild stories.
Let’s take a little stroll through the myths and then check in with science to see what really went down.
The Turtle Carries the World
Many Native American tribes believed the Earth rests on the back of a giant turtle. In one tale from the Lenape people, the land was formed on the turtle’s back after a great flood.
Imagine being that turtle. Carrying an entire planet? No wonder they walk slow.
Hindu mythology has its own turtle tale. Vishnu, one of their gods, took the form of a turtle called Kurma. He helped churn the cosmic ocean to create the world’s treasures. That’s not your average day at the beach.
China? They believed a giant turtle held up the sky. If the sky started to fall, you knew who to blame.
Science Chimes In
I hate to break it to the myth-makers, but turtles are a bit more down to Earth. Fossils tell us they’ve been around for over 220 million years. That’s older than mammals, birds, and most reptiles.
The oldest known turtle fossil, Odontochelys semitestacea, looked kind of funky. It had a belly shell but no full top shell. Like a turtle halfway dressed.
Through the ages, turtles evolved their famous armor. It wasn’t just for show. That shell helped them survive when a lot of other creatures didn’t.
Sorry, no world-carrying duties involved. Just good old-fashioned survival.
This Hilarious Turtle Book Might Know Your Pet Better Than You Do
Let’s be real—most turtle care guides feel like reading a textbook written by a sleep-deprived zookeeper.
This one’s not that.
Told from the snarky point of view of a grumpy, judgmental turtle, 21 Turtle Truths You’ll Never Read in a Care Guide is packed with sarcasm, sass, and surprisingly useful insights.
And hey—you don’t have to commit to the whole thing just yet.
Grab 2 free truths from the ebook and get a taste of what your turtle really thinks about your setup, your food choices, and that weird plastic palm tree.
It’s funny, it’s honest, and if you’ve ever owned a turtle who glares at you like you’re the problem—you’ll feel seen.
Why the Myths?
So, why do turtles get these epic roles in stories?
Simple. They look ancient. Their wrinkled skin, slow movements, and wise eyes make them feel like they’ve seen things.
Plus, they live long lives. Some tortoises can clock over 150 years. That’s enough time to collect a few stories and pass them on.
In a way, turtles became a symbol of endurance, patience, and stability. That’s the kind of creature you’d trust to hold up a planet, right?
Science Still Finds Surprises
Even now, turtles keep scientists guessing.
Ever heard of turtle navigation? Sea turtles can cross oceans and somehow find the exact beach where they were born. They use Earth’s magnetic field like a built-in GPS. That’s next-level stuff.
And did you know some turtles breathe through their butts? Yes, you read that right. Certain species can absorb oxygen through their rear ends while hibernating underwater.
Maybe those ancient storytellers weren’t so far off. Turtles are kind of magical.
The Verdict
So, what really happened with turtles?
They weren’t holding up the world. They were outliving everything else.
Turtles survived mass extinctions, adapted to land and sea, and picked up a few myths along the way.
But even if they aren’t cosmic superheroes, I’d argue they’re just as impressive. Science and myth both agree: turtles are built to last.
And maybe, just maybe, they’re still hiding a few secrets.
About Author
Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.
