While they can hold their breath for a long time (some species can stay submerged for hours!), turtles are air-breathing reptiles. This means they need to breathe oxygen from the air and cannot extract it from the water.
Here's why:
* Lungs: Turtles have lungs, just like other reptiles and mammals.
* Breathing: They breathe by drawing air into their lungs using muscles in their chest.
* Water vs. Air: While some turtles have adaptations that allow them to stay submerged for extended periods, they still need to come up for air to replenish their oxygen supply.
Important Note: The amount of time a turtle can stay submerged varies greatly depending on the species, age, health, water temperature, and other factors.