Turtles are cool creatures, cold blooded reptiles who have hard shells to protect them from predators. • Most turtles can hide their heads and entire bodies in their shells when attacked. • Turtles have been around for 215 million years. • Sea turtles drink salt water because of glands that can remove salt from saltwater. • The largest turtle species are the leatherback sea turtles that can weigh up to 900 kilograms (2000 lbs).