Why do some turtles bend their necks sideways?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do some turtles bend their necks sideways?

The Big Idea

Turtles tuck their heads to stay safe. But not all the same way! Why do some bend their necks sideways?

Straight Back

Step one: Straight Back. Turtles pull their heads inside their shells in two different ways. Most North American turtles pull their heads straight back, folding the neck into an S shape.

Sideways Fold

Step two: Sideways Fold. Others, called side-necked turtles, fold the neck sideways. They tuck the head under the edge of the shell.

Family Matters

Step three: Family Matters. Both ways keep the head safe. Which kind a turtle is depends on its family, and side-necked turtles live mostly in the Southern Hemisphere.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! S-fold. Side tuck. Protects. Side-necks.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Side-necked turtles are found mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. Many necks fold into an S. Both ways work. It depends on the turtle's family.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Make two paper turtle puppets. Give each a head on a paper strip neck. Have one pull its head straight back. Have the other fold it to the side. Which looks safer to you?

Outro

Turtles tuck their heads in two ways. Most North American turtles pull their heads straight back with an S-shaped neck, while side-necked turtles fold the neck sideways under the shell edge. Both keep the head safe. Science is amazing! Keep wondering and keep exploring! Share what you learned with someone at home, and see what they think! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!