Turtle Plush Toys

In 2003, when Disney released the ever-popular animated film "Nemo," the sale of turtle plush toys undoubtedly went through the roof. Crush, his son Squirt, along with the entire crew of thrill seeking sea turtles, were some of the coolest marine life ever seen on the big screen, which made them all the more sought after as plush toys. Turtle plush toys, Crush and Squirt, are still available for purchase today, along with a whole host of other types of turtle.





Turtles have been around for more than 150 million years; they are part of the reptile family and live in every ocean, swamp, lake, pond and stream around the world, with the exception of Antarctica. Turtles soft bodies are covered in a hard shell made up of 59 to 61 bones (which are covered by plates); some turtles can pull their head, legs and tail into it for protection (these are "hidden-necked turtles"). Their shell is attached permanently to their spine and rib cage thus they can never crawl out of it. Like humans that feel pain through their fingernails, turtles feel pain and pressure through their shell.





There are seven different types of turtle: mud and musk, pond and marsh, sea (like Crush and Squirt), side-necked, snapping, soft-shelled, and tortoises. Regardless of type, like all reptiles, turtles are cold-blooded and adapt themselves to the temperature of whatever environment they live in.





Amongst the 250 or so species of turtle, they are all classified as "turtles," "tortoises," and "terrapins." Turtles are a reptile that spend most of their life in the water and as is the case, usually have webbed feet for swimming. Their bodies are specifically designed for life in the water; they have streamlined bodies and long feet that act the same as flippers. Ocean turtles live most of their life in the water except when females come to land to lay their eggs. Turtles that inhabit ponds and lakes will climb out of the water to bask in the sun, and may also burrow in the mud when it's cold. Tortoises, on the other hand, are land dwellers that are partial to eating shrubs, grass and in some cases, cactus. Instead of webbed feet, tortoises' feet are round and stumpy for walking on land. Tortoises typically live in hot, dry habitats and dig burrows with their feet to escape the sun. Unlike turtles and tortoises, terrapins spend time on both land and water, though they can always be found living near some kind of river, pond, or lake.





It's no wonder turtle plush toys are so sought after – they are a fascinating creature that gives a child lots to learn about. And, for the child that isn't quite ready to have a small pet turtle, turtle plush toys are a terrific alternative. The next time you're in the market to buy a stuffed animal, you should seriously consider turtle plush toys instead of a 'typical' teddy bear. Just like a teddy bear, turtle plush toys will give your child endless hours of fun.





Angeline Hope is a collector of plush giant toy animals. You can view a selection of plush giant toys including

href="http://www.mybigplush.com/store/Plush_Turtle_Stuffed_Animals.php">turtle stuffed animals at MyBigPlush.