в чем разница между turtle и tortoise
Difference between Turtle and Tortoise
Turtles and tortoises belong to one of most ancient reptile families, and have existed for 157 million years. They are older than snakes and crocodiles, but some turtle species are now highly endangered due to human consumption. Turtles belong to the order Testudines (from Latin word testudo or “tortoise”) which includes freshwater and sea-dwelling types. Let us find out if there are major differences between these two reptiles.
Summary Table
| Turtle | Tortoise |
| Mostly aquatic reptiles. | Mostly land-based turtles. |
| Most have flippers or webbed feet, lighter and flatter shells. | Most have short, sturdy legs and heavier shells. |
| Usually omnivorous. | Usually herbivorous. |
Descriptions
The definition of the word “turtle” varies depending on where you are in the world. In North America, it is a blanket term that includes tortoises and terrapins. The British use the word turtle to refer to the sea-dwelling species. Other species of turtles include tortoises and terrapins. Tortoises generally live on land, while terrapins normally inhabit brackish waters such as in estuaries where freshwater mixes with seawater. In Spain, tortuga is used to refer to turtles, terrapins, and dolphins.
The largest living turtle is the leatherback sea turtle. Its shell can grow up to 6.6 feet or 200 centimeters and can be as heavy as 900 kilograms or 2,000 lbs. The smallest turtle, just 3.1 inches or 8 centimeters in length, is the speckled padloper tortoise found in South Africa.
Turtles have lighter shells than land-dwelling tortoises. Flatter, lighter shells allow aquatic turtles to swim better and faster. Large spaces in the shell called fontanelles make the shells lighter. Most turtles are omnivores feeding on aquatic plants, snails, worms, and insects. Certain species are known to feed on dead marine animals, small fish, and other marine animals. Sea turtles eat jellyfish and other smaller marine creatures.
Turtles have webbed feet for swimming and long, strong claws for climbing up riverbanks or logs. Some turtle species have developed flippers with shorter claws rather than webbed feet. Some aquatic turtles have their eyes near the top of their head, allowing them a better view above the water.
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The tortoise is a land-dwelling reptile that belongs to the Testudinidae family. It is under the order Testudines, along with sea-dwelling and aquatic turtles. Tortoises usually have heavier shells than their close relatives and are generally known to be more solitary.
As mentioned earlier, the words tortoise, turtle, and terrapin are used interchangeably depending on the region you’re in. However, according to the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, the term “turtle” covers all land and sea turtles under the order Testudines. They use the term tortoise to point specifically to the slow-moving land species.
Found usually in Africa and Asia, tortoises are generally plant-eaters feeding on weeds, grasses, green leaves, and even flowers. Some tortoise species are omnivores that feed on insects and worms.
One of the more distinct characteristics of tortoises as land-dwellers are their short and sturdy feet. They are extremely slow, walking at 0.27 kilometers per hour or 0.17 miles per hour.
Turtle vs Tortoise
What’s the difference between a turtle and a tortoise then? Using the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists definition, a turtle is a reptile with a hard, bony shell belonging to the order of Testudines which includes all sea, land, and other aquatic turtles. The term tortoise is used to describe most land-dwelling turtles. With this definition, we can highlight their general differences.
A turtle is a reptile with a hard, bony shell belonging to the order of Testudines. The tortoise belongs to the same order but is under a different classification. Most turtles live as sea-dwellers, while some are amphibious, meaning they can live on both land and sea. There are freshwater turtles and other species that live in estuaries where freshwater meets seawater. A tortoise is another species that mostly live on land.
Most aquatic turtles have developed flippers, along with lighter and flatter shells that allow them to swim more efficiently in the water. Other turtles have webbed feet with claws to climbing up logs and muddy riverbanks. Tortoises have short but strong limbs that give them mobility on land.
Turtles have been known to swim in the sea in groups (called a bale), while tortoises are recognized as solitary animals. Most turtles are omnivores feeding on aquatic plants, snails, worms, and even dead marine animals while tortoises are usually herbivores that like eating grasses, weeds, and flowers.
Video
Here’s a quick video that highlights a few important differences between these two reptiles:
Turtle vs. Tortoise
Tortoises and turtles are both reptiles from the order of Testudines, but in different classification families. The major difference between the two is that tortoises dwell on land, while turtles live in the water some or nearly all of the time.
The bodies of tortoises and turtles are both shielded by a shell, the upper part of which is called carapace, with the lower portion called a plastron. The carapace and the plastron are attached by a bridge, which means that though the head and limbs of a turtle or tortoise may be withdrawn from the shell, the whole body can never be totally detached from it. These reptiles are generally reclusive and shy in nature.
Comparison chart
| Tortoise | Turtle | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Definition | A Tortoise is a reptile from the Chelonian family and dwells well on land. | A Turtle is a reptile from the Chelonian family and dwells well in the water. |
| Distribution | Found mostly in Asia and Africa but some species exist in Americas too. | Africa, America. |
| Shape of the shell | Mostly large dome shaped shells (with bumps on the top in some species). | Mostly flat, streamlined shells. |
| Weight of the shell | The shells are heavier. | Generally light-weight shell. |
| Limbs | Feet are short and sturdy with bent legs. | Webbed feet with long claws. |
| Diet | Most are herbivores, but some species prefer live food. | Eats fruits, veggies, leafy vegetation and meat, hence they are omnivores. |
| Birth | Tortoise hatchlings move from their nest to the mothers burrow soon after birth. | Turtle hatchlings stay in their nest on their own for 90-120 days. |
| Lifespan | 80-150 years. The longest living Tortoise is 326 years. | 20-40 years. The oldest was 86 years. |
| Kingdom | Animalia | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata | Chordata |
| Class | Reptilia | Reptilia |
| Order | Testudines (a.k.a., Chelonii) | Testudines (a.k.a., Chelonii) |
| Family | Testudinidae | Numerous families, including Carettochelyidae (pig-nosed turtle), Dermatemydidae (Central American river turtles), Emydidae (pond/water turtles), etc. |
Differences in Habitat
Turtles live some or most of the time in the water, while tortoises live on land. Both turtles and tortoises lay eggs on the ground. The mother will dig a burrow and lay two to twelve eggs there. The future hatchlings will stay inside the egg for 90 to 120 days, incubating on their own. Once the incubation process is complete, they dig their way to the surface. Tortoise mothers provide protection to the hatchlings for about 80 days, after which they survive on their own, but turtle hatchlings are on their own from birth.
Differences in Physical Characteristics
A tortoise has a dome-shaped shell and short and sturdy feet. Its legs are bent instead of being straight and directly under the body. A turtle has a flat, streamlined shell and limbs that are quite similar to a tortoise’s, but the turtle’s feet are webbed and have long claws which provide a good grip upon floating logs and help the reptile climb onto riverbanks. Some turtles might even have flippers, as is the case for the pig-nosed turtle.
Tortoise vs. Turtle Shell
The shells that cover the body of these reptiles are very important as they give researchers a fair idea of how these reptiles live. As turtles generally prefer to live in water, the shell of a turtle is flat and streamlined to aid in swimming and diving, while the shell of a tortoise, which lives on land, is rather large and dome-shaped to provide protection from predators. Also, the shell of a tortoise is quite heavy when compared to a turtle’s shell, which is lighter to avoid sinking and to increase swimming speed.
Differences in Diet
Most land-based tortoises are herbivores while turtles can be both herbivores and carnivores. This is a video of a turtle eating a pigeon.
Reproduction of Turtles vs. Tortoises
The eggs from a turtle are somewhat soft and leather-like, similar to the eggs produced by other reptiles. Turtle hatchlings stay in their nest on their own for 90-120 days.
Female tortoises dig burrows in which they lay anywhere from 2 to 12 eggs. Hatchlings take approximately 90-120 days to incubate within the ping-pong-ball sized eggs.
Difference in Lifespan
Tortoises can live about as long as humans, around 60-80 years, but some have been known to live for over 150 years. The longest verified tortoise life span was 188 years.
In contrast, the common lifespan of a turtle is about 20-40 years, while sea turtles average 60 to 70 years, with about 40 to 50 years of that required to reach maturity.
While it is sometimes reported that tortoises have lived for over 200 years in captivity, confirming the validity of these claims has been difficult. Most tortoises can live over 100 years in captivity, but living beyond that age requires carefully controlled, nurturing environments.
As Pets
Both are kept as pets, though small turtles are more commonly owned. Tortoises are actually easier to care for, but more expensive to own. Both require owners who are willing and able to keep a very long commitment. As such, neither is recommended as a pet in many cases.
Geographical Distribution
Tortoises are found mostly in Asia and Africa, while turtles are found in Africa and America. Turtles are primarily found in tropical and semi-tropical climates, similar to those preferred by most lizards, as they require warmer external temperatures to maintain proper body warmth. However, some turtles are known for hibernating during colder weather, usually alongside riverbanks. Tortoises are not known for hibernating, as their habitats are almost entirely warm, though some species can greatly limit their metabolism during periods of little or no food and water.
В чем разница между turtle и tortoise
Turtles mostly live in the sea or the ocean. (saltwater) They only come to land to lay eggs.
Tortoises live on dry land. They aren’t good swimmers, but they will go to water sometimes to clean and drink.
Terrapins are found by ponds and lakes. (freshwater) They swim often but also spend a lot of time on land enjoying the sun and digging holes.
However, in US English, we tend to call all of these «turtles» in everyday conversation. Some people may understand the difference between turtles and tortoises, but most people don’t know the word «terrapin.»
Turtles mostly live in the sea or the ocean. (saltwater) They only come to land to lay eggs.
Tortoises live on dry land. They aren’t good swimmers, but they will go to water sometimes to clean and drink.
Terrapins are found by ponds and lakes. (freshwater) They swim often but also spend a lot of time on land enjoying the sun and digging holes.
However, in US English, we tend to call all of these «turtles» in everyday conversation. Some people may understand the difference between turtles and tortoises, but most people don’t know the word «terrapin.»
В чем разница между turtle и tortoise
@urluuv
Turtles can be aquatic, semi-aquatic, or mostly terrestrial. Meaning they can live in water (the sea) or on land. Turtles are what you see in the ocean.
Tortoises are turtles that live on land and aren’t equipped for water, meaning they can’t live in water.
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В чем разница между turtle и tortoise
Turtles have flipper and tortoises have feet. Tortoises tend to be larger as a rule.
One of them are meant to be it in water and that is turtle. While tortoise are land creatures because they have feets.
Символ показывает уровень знания интересующего вас языка и вашу подготовку. Выбирая ваш уровень знания языка, вы говорите пользователям как им нужно писать, чтобы вы могли их понять.
Мне трудно понимать даже короткие ответы на данном языке.
Могу задавать простые вопросы и понимаю простые ответы.
Могу формулировать все виды общих вопросов. Понимаю ответы средней длины и сложности.
Понимаю ответы любой длины и сложности.
Решайте свои проблемы проще в приложении!
( 30 698 )