Turtles vs Tortoises

[ChereeKr]

Today I would like to present our wonderful (not so furry) friend the tortoise, and its best friend the turtle!
Did you know that tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises? Most people use the term “turtle” to reference any reptile with a shell on its back, but there are several differences between these two unique creatures.

Let’s have a look at some fun facts!

1. TORTOISE

A tortoise cannot swim, but they do have the ability to hold their breath for long periods.
Tortoises have short, thick feet like those of an elephant’s.
A tortoise’s shell is heavier and more rounded.
Tortoises get all their water and nutrients from the food they eat.
The largest tortoise species is the Galapagos tortoise which can weigh up to 200 kg and grow up to 1.2 meters long.

2. TURTLE

Sea turtles cannot retract their flippers and head into their shells.
Green sea turtles are primarily herbivores, eating mostly seagrasses and algae.
Sea turtles lay their eggs in a nest they dig in the sand with their rear flippers.
Leatherback sea turtles have existed in their current form since the age of the dinosaurs!
It’s estimated that only around 1 in 1,000 marine turtle hatchlings make it to adulthood.

Which other fun facts do you know about a turtle or tortoise? Do you maybe have one as a pet?

Which one is your favourite?

• Tortoise
• Turtle

Have you ever touched a turtle or a tortoise?

• Yes
• No

[27sp.sandra]

Awww what a cute topic . In fact, I didn’t know that! I always thought that tortoise were only the giant ones. Thank you for sharing @ChereeKr .

[SKrausser]

Very interesting facts I didn’t know!

[Camille.TerRa]

Wow super interesting! Thank you for sharing @ ChereeKr!

[Toby]

Wonderful topic @ChereeKr! I love turtles and tortoises! Maybe it’s because when I was a kid, I went absolutely nuts about dinosaurs. I mean, just look at them!

…and I just realized that I’ve had a couple of encounters with tortoises and turtles so far. I rescued a Greek Tortoise when hitch hiking through Greece from oncoming traffic, watched a huge Green Turtle laying her eggs at a Sri Lankan beach, and “adopted” two hatchlings at the Turtle Conservation And Education Center in Bali.

And since I crossed the equator on a sailing vessel, I’m allowed to call myself “shellback” and get a turtle tattoo as proof (old sailor tradition). Haven’t done that yet, though.

Oh, and of course Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!!!

[Lari1108]

Awesome Post!! Absolutely love it!

Also, it is sooo embarassing that I am a Veterinarian and did not know these facts. HAHAHAHA

[kgeisl1]

Excited to share some of my elementary school science. I think it is because they come to a very close classification of being the same animals, however, at one of the lowest levels have differences.

Taxonomic rank

[ChereeKr]

Wow! Thank you for sharing @kgeisl1! Super interesting! I’ve never thought about a turtle or tortoise in this much detail.

[ChereeKr]

It is so interesting that you mention Sri Lanka @Toby, because that is where I had my first encounter with a turtle. I visited a hatchery where we were allowed to hold some of the new ‘hatchlings’ and also learnt about the effect that the tsunami had on the wildlife in that region. Super interesting!