Turtles certainly have one of the most interesting anatomies. Aside from their hard shell that covers the majority of their body, they also have tails. Both sea and land turtles have tails. Additionally, all tortoises also have tails.
Now you might be interested in why all turtles have tails. In today’s article, we will go into detail as to why turtles have tails and what they use them for/
Why do turtles have tails?
The main reason turtles have tails are for reproduction, protection of the vent, and balance.
Reproduction
The main reason turtles have tails is for reproduction. Both male and female turtles use their tail for many different reproductive processes. For example, the male turtle has their penis located underneath their tail. This is because if the penis was located inside their shell, it would be much harder for the male turtle to penetrate the female turtle.
The male turtle will also use their tail to open up the female’s vagina while they are mating. They do this in order to ensure that there sperm reaches the reproductive organs of the female.
A female turtle uses their tail for two main processes of reproduction. The first is that they use their tail to cover up their vent that opens up to their reproductive organs. Once a turtle starts to mate, she will lift up her tail, so the opening is more accessible for the male turtle. She then uses the same tail to open up the vent to release eggs.
A female turtle will also use her tail to help build a nest for her eggs. The tail basically acts as a fifth arm to help move around objects.
Protection of the vent
A turtle also has a tail in order to protect their vent. A turtle uses their vent to release waste from their body. When the vent is open, it leaves the vent exposed to external threats. Therefore, the tail helps protect the vent by covering it up when the turtle is not releasing waste or mating.
Balance
While turtle don’t really use their tail to help them swim, they do sometimes use their tail for balance. This is especially true for land turtle that must traverse rocky and hilly terrains. The tail acts as a fifth limb that help the turtle maintain balance. Some sea turtles will also use their tail to help them balance when they are moving across coral on the ocean floor. A turtle uses their stretched neck to help them swim.
Why are male turtle tails longer than female tails?
Male turtles have longer tails because their tail must cover their penis. Female turtles only need their tail to cover up the opening to their vent. A male turtle’s tail usually hits a growth spurt once the turtle reaches puberty. This is because the turtle’s penis also grows a lot during this period.
Turtles don’t use their tails for navigation in the water like many aquatic and semi-aquatic animals do.
Why are snapping turtle’s tails so long?
If you have ever seen a snapping turtle, you probably noticed their long tail that extends from the back of their shell. In some in some instances, a snapping turtles tail will be just as long as their shell. A snapping turtle’s tail is also covered in bony spikes. This makes the snapping turtle look like a prehistoric dinosaur.
The main reason snapping turtles have such long tails is because they tend to have longer penises. Therefore, their tails must be longer in order to cover up their precious reproductive organ.