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Turtles and tortoises are among the oldest animal species on Earth. Evidence of their existence dates back to the time of the dinosaurs. Today, however, 129 of the 356 known examples of this gentle and harmless reptile are either vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). And we are to blame! Human activities have tipped the scales against the survival of these ancient mariners, with many particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of plastic pollution. Understanding more about these fascinating creatures can help us appreciate their unique place in world, and their ever-increasing vulnerability.

Ready? Click through this gallery and find out more about turtles and tortoises.

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Turtles belong to a group of reptiles called Testudines, which includes turtles, tortoises, and terrapins.

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Turtles are ancient creatures. They've been on Earth for over 200 million years, longer than snakes, lizards, and crocodiles.

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In fact, the earliest known turtle fossils date back 220 million years to the Triassic Period. Anatomically, they are nearly identical to modern turtles.

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There are about 356 species of turtles, including land-dwelling tortoises and freshwater terrapins. They are found all over the world, except Antarctica.

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Turtles spend most of their lives in water. Indeed, they are adapted to aquatic life, having webbed feet or flippers and a streamlined body.

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Freshwater turtles are found in ponds and lakes. You often see them on logs or rocks basking in the warm sun.

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As reptiles, turtles are cold-blooded. They have a backbone, breathe air, and lay eggs.

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Turtles and tortoises have a hard outer shell that is made from keratin, the same material that your fingernails are made out of.

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In fact, a turtle's shell is actually part of its skeleton. It's made up of over 50 bones, which includes its rib cage and spine.

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When threatened or danger strikes, a turtle will use their flexible neck to retract their head safely inside their shield-like shell. They can also tuck their feet into their shell.

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A turtle cannot come out of its shell; the turtle's shell grows with them. It's impossible for them to grow too big for it.

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Tortoises are land animals. Instead of webbed feet or flippers, these creatures have round and stumpy feet, adapted for walking on terrain.

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On land, most turtles can only walk around 3 mph (4.8 km/h). In water, however, some species reach an impressive 12 mph (19 km/h).

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Turtles are not social creatures. They prefer their own company and rarely interact with other turtles, except to mate.

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Likewise, sea turtles rarely leave the ocean, other than to lay eggs in sand on beaches.

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Mating occurs in the spring, summer, and fall. Turtles leave the water to dig a nesting burrow to lay their eggs. For most species, incubation ranges from 45 to 75 days. The sea turtle lays up to 100 eggs.

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According to the World Wildlife Fund, only around one in 1,000 marine turtle hatchlings make it to adulthood.

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The eating habits of a turtle depend on the environment it lives in. Land-dwelling turtles will feast on insects—beetles, for example—fruit, and grass.

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Sea turtles have a voracious appetite, feeding on anything from jellyfish and squid to algae and seagrass, depending on the species.

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There are seven species of sea turtle, found in every ocean around the world. Two, the hawksbill and Kemp's ridley, are critically endangered. The green turtle is endangered, while the leatherback, olive ridley, and loggerhead are threatened.

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In this respect, these creatures are trending, but for all the wrong reasons. According to the IUCN, 129 species of turtle and tortoise are either vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.

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The flatback turtle is classified by the IUCN Red List as data deficient, meaning there is presently insufficient scientific information to determine its conservation status.

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The largest sea turtle species is the leatherback. These guys can weigh up to 1,500 lbs (680 kg) and reach a length in excess of 5 ft (1.52 m).

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The Galapagos tortoise is equally impressive, reaching lengths of up to 6 ft (1.82 m) and tipping the scales at 573 lbs (260 kg).

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Turtles are not aggressive, but can hiss their displeasure if disturbed. Some species, specifically the snapping turtle, can deliver a nasty bite if they feel threatened.

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A turtle's lifespan depends on the species. Most aquatic species live into their forties. Some tortoises can live 100 years or more. The world's oldest living land animal is Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise (pictured). In December 2023 Jonathan celebrated his 191st birthday, according to Guinness World Records.

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The world's smallest species of tortoise is the speckled Cape tortoise. It's restricted to an arid region in the west of South Africa.

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The African helmeted turtle, also known as the marsh terrapin, is the most common turtle in Africa. This species is a hunter-scavenger with a taste for young birds and small mammals. It's known for releasing an offensive musky odor when threatened.

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Another rarity is the odd-looking Roti Island snake-necked turtle. So named for its elongated neck, this species is only found on Rote Island in Indonesia. The IUCN lists it as Critically Endangered.

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Arguably the most bizarre-looking turtle species is the Asian giant softshell turtle. Another critically endangered reptile, this creature has a broad head and small eyes close to the tip of its snout. Their shell is soft, flat, and rubbery, which makes this turtle very fast in water.

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And here's a worrying footnote: the ploughshare tortoise (pictured) and radiated tortoise face a grim future. Conservationists predict both species will be extinct within the next 45 years.

Sources: (IUCN) (Guinness World Records) (Live Science) (World Wildlife Fund)