TMNT Biology Question

For any Herpetologists with an affinity for Turtles on this forum, I just need this one thing clarified.

Do Turtles urinate or not?

I assumed Turtles don't urinate because their Reptiles therefore don't have urinary bladders. But several books I've read both fiction and nonfiction make references to Turtles peeing, Yahoo Answers gave me mixed up answers.

I ask because I'm starting a TMNT fanfic, and I was thinking about one of the Turtles mentioning they don't urinate because they're reptiles. But I'm not sure if that's accurate or not.

So if anyone knows for sure let me know

That a bizarre question to ask, so I give you bizarre answer - yes, they do and there is a species that urinate through their mouths.

And now you know.

Thanks.

I guess the purpose of the question was to be closer to my goal of writing 'semi-Scientifically-accurate Ninja Turtles fanfiction

...Why do you need to mention that anyway? Unless the fiction you are going to write is "Here is random trivia about turtle biology that doesn't apply to mutants anyway!" education fic

Also speaking of random biology trivia education, wait, some reptiles do same thing as birds? Or how is it possible that some of them don't urinate?

edited 7th Jul '14 4:41:46 AM by SpookyMask

Looking at evolution of mammals page on Wikipedia, I read that reptiles managed to thrive in the Mesozoic while Mammals stayed tiny was partly because Reptiles don't urinate therefor lose less of their fluids.

Yes, I am a big fat science nerd, that's probobly why my favorite Turtle is Donatello

I don't think majority of modern reptiles lived during that time I dunno how old crocodiles are

Boy, people do sure invent sillier reasons to ignore large Mesozoic mammals like Repenomamus.

Turtles also can't eat dairy because reptiles don't have mammary glands. Yet the turtles can eat pizza, which is full of cheese, just fine.

I don't think you can go into the TMNT expecting accurate biology.

edited 8th Jul '14 6:57:24 PM by NoName999

They shouldn't see colors, either. And let's not even start on their vocal chords, or prehensile fingers, or...

edited 8th Jul '14 8:29:32 PM by NapoleonDeCheese

Touche

I was inspired by a few fics that incorporate SOME reptile biology into the fics Like this one

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6481980/1/It-s-a-Reptile-Thing

I know they're mutants but I love a good Furry Reminder One of my favorite tropes

Yeaaaaaah, the fact they are mutant turtles(probably with human dna or something?*shrugs*) kinda nullifies any realism

I like the D. G. D. Davidson example on that page. All that research that your audience won't care about!

They're also mutant humanoid turtles where their DNA is now some hodgepodge mix of both turtle and human genetics, so unless its specifically stated one way or the other it's really a shot in the dark as to what parts of their biology line up with which species. Or if it lies somewhere in between.

Um...I would like to remind everyone that depending on what version of the TMNT your doing the 'ooze' does different things, in the 80s or or 2012 Toon it is a crossbreeding formula but in the Mirage Comics or 2003 Toon, it's merely a growth formula causing animals to grow in size and intelligence, the word 'Humanoid' really only means 'body design similar' to Humans Apes are Humanoid and Robots that are shaped like Humans are Humanoid and they don't have 'Human DNA' so if you're writing the 2003 verse, the Turtles are humanoid as in they have a Human shape, does NOT mean they have Human DNA in them

but in the Mirage Comics or 2003 Toon, it's merely a growth formula causing animals to grow in size and intelligence

The movies' ooze seems to be a super-growth formula as well (Shredder only grew up when he took it, didn't mutate into any animal). At first, you'd think Tohka and Rahzar would indicate it doesn't develop the intelligence, until you remember it took the Turtles years of upbringing to get where they are now. Rakhzar and Tohka started with childlike intelligence (which already was an improvement over their animal minds) but had they had the time, they could have become as smart as the Turtles. As for why Shredder became a mindless berserker instead of becoming smarter... I suppose it's because even smart people become stupid when rage overrides them?

I think Tohka and Rahzar were stupid because the effort to mutate them was sabotaged, actually.

OK I think I got the info I needed thanks everybody for contributing.

I feel I have accidentally started a 'nerdier then thou' debate

Correct. That was indeed the reason for their "intellectual inferiority." I didn't ever think about the differences in the way the mutagen worked. I admit though, I like the "takes on the characteristics of the last creature you came in contact* with element of the 80's and current series. I noticed they tend to use the combination genetics version when splinter starts off human and the growth version when he starts off as a rat.

edited 18th Jul '14 12:21:12 AM by windweaver