How do turtles breathe underwater?

Turtles breathe through their lungs and must come to the surface to inhale air. However, some species, such as sea turtles, are adapted to hold their breath for extended periods while swimming or diving. When underwater, they slow down their metabolism and can manage with very little oxygen. Certain freshwater turtles also have specialized behaviors, such as “cloacal respiration,” where they absorb small amounts of oxygen through their cloacal opening when submerged for long periods, allowing them to remain underwater for extended times.