There's a good reason a defensive strategy is called "turtling."^[1]

Turtles are ancient creatures that have changed little over the eons. There are three main categories: sea turtles, land tortoises and fresh-water-dwelling terrapins.^[2]

Turtles in World of Warcraft are similar in appearance, but much greater in size than their real-life counterparts. They can be found both on land, and in water. In Warcraft, turtles, sea turtles, and tortoises are often essentially the same, only differentiated by environment.

The tortollans are a race of humanoid turtles.

Background

Turtles of different species are found all over Azeroth. Giant sea turtles are native to the southern seas and were captured by the Stormreaver clan during the Second War. The daring goblins who control them are dedicated to destroying enemy ships by launching hazardous, steam-driven canisters containing highly volatile liquids that can shred even the strongest of armor.^[3] The tuskarr of Northrend use turtle boats to travel between their different settlements.

Turtles are feared by the naga, who consider them bad luck and give them a wide berth on the shores of Azshara.^[4] Softshell turtle meat is considered a delicacy and is the key ingredient in soothing turtle bisque.^[5]

One of the demigods in the War of the Ancients was a reptilian warrior with a shell reminiscent of a turtle.^[6] In Mount Hyjal, the turtle ancient Tortolla is encountered. He may or may not be the aforementioned reptilian warrior.

Turtle types

• Dragon turtle
• Fire turtle
• Sea turtle
  • Giant turtle
• Terrapin

Notable turtles

Types

As a mount

Main article: Turtle mounts

There are several types of turtle mounts available. The pandaren use dragon turtles as their racial ground mounts.

As a companion pet

•  [Beakbert] is a reward from  [10-70] Return to the Orphanage /  [10-70] Return to the Hall of Castes during Children's Week.
• Brightscale Hatchling is a reward/vendor item from a covenant's special feature (Ember Court, Queen's Conservatory etc.)
•  [Cou'pa] is bought for 200 when revered with Tortollan Seekers.
•  [Darkmoon Turtle] can be purchased from  Lhara <Darkmoon Faire Exotic Goods> at the Darkmoon Faire at a cost of 90 .
• Emerald Turtles can be captured in pet battles in the Jade Forest.
• Glimmerpool Hatchling can be caught from pet battles in Bastion.
•  [Silvershell Snapper] has a chance to drop from Stewart's Stewpendous Stew in Bastion after killing Dionae.
•  [Snapper] is a rare drop from Island expeditions.
• Softshell Snaplings can be captured in pet battles in the Valley of the Four Winds.
• Spiny Terrapins can be captured in pet battles in Krasarang Wilds.
•  [Turtle Box] is a reward from  [10-70] A Warden of the Alliance /  [10-70] A Warden of the Horde during Children's Week.
• Young Mutant Warturtle can be captured in pet battles in the Dalaran Sewers.

As a hunter pet

Type
Tenacity
Diet
Abilities
Basic	Special	Exotic	Bonus

Turtles are a family of Tenacity pets and are tamable by hunters starting at level 10. Players that start as a pandaren hunter will receive a turtle as their first pet. Turtles, through the use of their special [Shell Shield] ability, reduces damage taken by 50% for 12 sec. This makes turtles great tanking pets in a pinch. There are seven different skins available for turtle pets. The most distinctive ones are  Terrorpene, a turtle with a fiery shell, and  Ghamoo-Ra, a light-grey turtle.

Patch changes

• Patch 3.1.0 (2009-04-14): Bonuses equalized.
  • Damage now has +5% bonus.
  • Health bonus reduced to 5%.
    
• Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Major changes:
  • Turtles can now eat bread.
  • Armor bonus reduced from 13% to 5%.
  • Health now has a +10% bonus.
  • -10% damage penalty removed.
    

In the RPG

Sea turtles are aggressive animals with thick, heavily spiked shells and sharp teeth. Some reports say that naga train these creatures and use them in war. Sea turtles trundle along the ground on elephantine legs and attack smaller creatures — or creatures of the same size, if prey is scarce. Any creature striking a sea turtle with natural or hand-held weapons takes piercing and slashing damage from the turtle's barbs. However, weapons with exceptional reach, such as longspears, do not endanger their users in this way.^[7]

In Manual of Monsters Appendix Three another type of turtle is described, the Giant Snapping Turtle, but the validity of the source is disputed.

Notes

• The most important distinction between the different kinds of turtles is which drop Turtle Scales and which do not. In general, turtles of a higher level have a better chance of dropping Turtle Scales. The turtles in Dustwallow Marsh rarely drop scales, while the ones in Tanaris may drop two or three at a time. The turtles in Thousand Needles never drop scales. Farming Turtle Scales is the primary reason to kill a turtle.
• Tortoises (land turtles) are pretty much interchangeable with turtles in the game, since they all look the same. You can assume it is a tortoise if it doesn't appear near a large body of water (lake, river, or sea).
• A few turtles may actually be mobs that have been polymorphed. Beware of any unusual turtles in unexpected locations!
• Some sea turtles have flippers instead of legs, including the giant sea turtles, but most do not.
• Sea turtles are often shortened to just "turtles" and should not be confused for actual sea turtles (with flippers) found in the deep sea areas like Vashj'ir, for example the Speckled Sea Turtles.

Gallery

• 
  Battle for Azeroth models and concept art of a baby turtle.

Warcraft III

• 
  A sea turtle from Warcraft III.
• 
  Dragon Turtles from Warcraft III.

References

External links

• Wowhead
• Petopia

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