Turtles are not strictly herbivores. They feed exclusively on jellyfish and other soft-bodied invertebrates that float in the water column. This meat consumption causes them to have strong digestive enzymes. They swallow their food with very little chewing. Food particles are often swalled whole or in fairly large chunks. The salivary glands of the turtle help to soften and break down the food to make swallowing possible. The mouth of a turtle is a cavity found inside its skull. The tongue is flat and wide and fastened securely to the bottom of its mouth to prevent it from moving. Air, water, food and other essential nutrients enter the turtle's body most often by way of the mouth. The esophagus is tubular, digestive structure that is connected to the stomach. Digestive enzymes and acids within the turtle's stomach decompose the food. The walls of the organs in the digestive system are composed of smooth muscle that helps to push the food through the system . The gall bladder transfers the bile produced in the liver to the small intestine in the digestive process.The small intestine is connected from the stomach to the large intestine/colon which reabsorbs excess waste and water produced by the digestive system. The last part of the digestive system is the anus, where wastes exit the turtle's body. The excretory system of the turtle removes wastes from the turtle's body and blood. The kidney performs the blood filtering process and the wastes are then sent to the bladder. The kidneys
are also aided by the salt gland to get rid of the excess salt in the sea water. From the bladder the urine goes to the cloaca which is where urine exits the body. The cloaca is also sometimes used to take in oxygen and other nutrients in
sea turtles.
are also aided by the salt gland to get rid of the excess salt in the sea water. From the bladder the urine goes to the cloaca which is where urine exits the body. The cloaca is also sometimes used to take in oxygen and other nutrients in
sea turtles.