Through her eyes

"I look into my turtle's eyes. They are intimidating and beautiful! I see a dark green color then a black stripe crossing the center of her eyes. They look so deep and mysterious." Field-notes 10/30

The look in her eyes
Photo taken by Nayeli Robles 10/30/14

Looking into my turtle's eyes intimidated me. They appeared so frightening like those of a snake. Maybe it was my turtle's overall appearance that caused my curiosity. What other types of animals were related to turtles? I was sure either lizards or snakes would have close similarities with turtles–I was wrong.

Turns out the origin of turtles is an unanswered question. Studies show turtles are either evolving from the ancestors of snakes and lizards or from the ancestors of crocodilians and birds. Researchers of Boston University confirmed turtles are more closely related to the ancestors of crocodilians and birds. (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120523200301.htm) How surprising right!

Work Cited

Boston University College of Arts and Sciences. "Turtles more closely related to birds than lizards and snakes, genetic evidence shows." Science Daily. N.p. 23 May. 2012. Web. 2 Nov. 2014.