Free Parts of a Sea Turtle Worksheet
Get ready for an adventure with our free parts of a sea turtle worksheet.
We’ve got you covered with these free printable science worksheets that introduce young students to the incredible anatomy of sea turtles.
The worksheet focuses on six essential parts of a sea turtle, including the shell, flippers, head, eyes, plastron, and scutes.
Choose from three different interactive activities that will help your little learners understand and remember these important parts. They can label the parts using a word bank, write the parts without hints, or match them to their correct locations.
And for a splash of creativity, we’ve included an amazing black and white sea turtle picture that you can bring to life with your favorite colors.
Let the learning and coloring adventure begin!
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What are the parts of a sea turtle?
From their captivating eyes to their sturdy carapace, we’ll uncover the secrets of a sea turtle’s body.
So, let’s jump right in and explore the different parts of a sea turtle!
Plastron
The plastron is the bottom part of a sea turtle’s shell, and it plays a vital role in protecting the animal’s vulnerable underbelly.
Made up of several bony plates, the plastron provides structural support and acts as a shield against potential predators. It also helps maintain the turtle’s buoyancy and stability in water.
Eyes
The eyes of a sea turtle are remarkable organs adapted for life underwater. Designed to see well in both air and water, their large and round shape allows them to gather more light and enhance their vision.
Sea turtles rely on their keen eyesight to navigate through the vast ocean, locate food, and identify potential threats.
Head
A sea turtle’s head is distinct, featuring a long and streamlined shape. This design allows them to effortlessly glide through the water with minimal resistance.
Their head houses crucial sensory organs, such as their eyes, nostrils, and a specialized gland that helps remove excess salt from their body, enabling them to survive in the salty marine environment.
Carapace
The carapace is the upper part of a sea turtle’s shell, consisting of fused bony plates called scutes. It serves as the primary defense against predators and provides support for the turtle’s internal organs.
The carapace’s unique pattern is not only visually striking but also helps identify different species of sea turtles.
Scute
Scutes are the individual scales that make up a sea turtle’s shell. These keratin-based structures overlay the bony plates and provide an additional layer of protection.
Scutes also aid in streamlining the turtle’s body, reducing drag as it swims through the water. The scutes shed and are replaced periodically as the turtle grows.
Flipper
Sea turtles have powerful and paddle-like flippers, which are modified limbs adapted for swimming. These flippers enable them to propel themselves through the water with grace and agility.
With strong muscles and a range of motion, sea turtles use their flippers to navigate, dive, and forage for food. The front flippers are larger and more powerful, while the rear flippers assist in steering.
Toby the Turtle: a story about change andNational Geographic Readers: Sea TurtlesTurtles of the World: A Guide to EveryGood Night Little Turtle
Have even more fun with turtles with these turtle games for preschoolers.
Books about sea turtles for kids
Add even more fun to your science lesson with these wonderful turtle books for preschoolers:
Good Night Little Turtle. Join Little Turtle on an exciting nighttime adventure in this charming book. Filled with beautiful illustrations, this story takes young readers on a journey as Little Turtle explores the world around him and encounters new friends along the way. It’s a delightful tale that celebrates curiosity and the wonders of nature.
Sea turtles. Dive into the ocean with National Geographic and discover the incredible world of sea turtles. Packed with fascinating facts and stunning photographs, this book introduces children to different species of sea turtles, their habitats, and their life cycles. It’s an engaging and educational read that will leave young readers in awe of these magnificent creatures.
Truman. Meet Truman, a small but determined turtle on a big adventure. Truman loves his human friend Sarah and worries when she doesn’t return one day. Join Truman as he embarks on a courageous journey to find her, overcoming obstacles along the way. This heartwarming story teaches children about friendship, bravery, and the power of never giving up.
WANT ALL OUR LIFE CYCLE WORKSHEETS IN ONE PLACE?
Free turtle printables
Carry on learning about turtles with these free worksheets:
Tips for downloading the free files
Below you will see a large sign-up box where you need to add your name and email address, and press I NEED THIS NOW!
Within minutes you will be sent the free PDF directly to your email address, so you can print it out and start using it immediately.
Sometimes emails get a little wonky, so if you can’t see it, please check your spam folder where I am sure it is hiding.
Download the free turtle body parts worksheet
If you are running short on time you can download all of our life cycle worksheets. There are 247 pages over 23 different life cycles.
These worksheets are free to print but are for personal or classroom use only.
Make sure you choose the correct paper size and click on the shrink to fit button. All of our free printables for kids work better when printed on cardstock (this is the one we use and love.)
Last Updated on 21 October 2023 by homeschoolof1