WORLD Turtle Day was celebrated on May 23. Therefore, we here at TEENage will take the time out to give the little turtles some honour by giving you readers some facts about the turtle family.

1 The first known turtles existed 200 million years ago.

2 Some female turtles produce eggs four years after mating.

3 Some turtles can live for more than a year without food.

4 The leatherback turtle is the largest sea turtle at six and a half (6 1/2) feet long and weighing up to 1,500 lbs.

5 Some land turtles can actually outrun a human on level ground.

6 Once a male sea turtle hatches and enters the ocean, it will probably not step on land again.

7 Not all turtles have hard shells. For example, softshell turtles and sea turtles have flexible shells.

8 Instead of teeth, turtles have a sharp beak for eating. Depending on the species, the beak may be scissor-like, hook-like or serrated. The earliest turtles did have teeth and could not retract their heads.

9 Many turtles are expert climbers.

10 When in danger, the green turtle can swim almost 20 miles an hour to escape.

— Melaine Warren