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Glite Dictionary
Emydidae

Emydidae

1 9.9
A group of turtles like box turtles and water turtles found mostly in the Americas
  • noun
  • /ˌɛmɪˈdaɪə/
  • Specialized
: Emídidos
  • Box turtles belong to the Emydidae family and are known for their ability to retract into their shells.

Examples

  • The Emydidae family includes various species of turtles that thrive in freshwater habitats.

  • You can often spot Emydidae turtles sunbathing on logs near the edge of a pond.

  • Out-of-water basking turtles (Emydidae) are widespread.

    Academic text (1992)

Surface Forms

Emydidae singular
Emydidae plural

Etymology

Emydidae comes from the Greek name Emys, which means 'freshwater turtle', and the ending -idae is a scientific ending that means 'family'. So Emydidae is the family name for groups of freshwater and box turtles, which explains why the word names this group of American turtles.