While there are many differences between turtles and tortoises, there are also many similarities between the two species. These similarities result in many people getting confused between the two animals which are closely related.
If you go to a zoo or pet store and spend more than 5 minutes in the turtle or tortoise section, you will likely find that someone is referring to the animals as the wrong species. So why does this happen so often? After all, you never hear of someone referring to a fox as a wolf!
Before we look at the difference between turtles and tortoises, lets first take a look at some of the similarities, to understand why there is often this confusion among the two species.
Similarities between Turtles and Tortoises
Turtles and Tortoises are both reptiles. This means that in Taxonomy they fall under the class Reptilia. The Reptilia class can be broken down into 4 different groups. These groups are Crocodilia (crocodiles and alligators), Sphenodontia (tuataras), Squamata (lizards and snakes), and Testudines (turtles and tortoises).
The Reptilia Class were the first to adapt to life on land after evolving from amphibians millions of years ago. There are approximately 10,000 different species of Reptiles today. Below is a list of some of the characteristics of Reptiles, although there are exceptions.
- They are Cold Blooded animals that are primarily found in the warmer parts of the world.
- Their skin is dry and rough, and primarily made of keratin.
- Their body is divided into 4 segments; head, neck, body and tail.
- Respiration involves the use of lungs.
- They have two pairs of pentadactyl limbs that contain claws (snakes are an exception).
- Their heart contains 3 chambers (Crocodiles have 4).
- Fertilization is internal.
- They are Oviparous, meaning they lay eggs (There are some exceptions).
Turtles and tortoises both fall under the Order Testudines (or Chelonia). This means that they are more closely related than simply both being reptiles. There are approximately 350 species of Testudines in the world.
The primary characteristic of Testudines is their shell. These reptiles have a shell which consists of two parts, the Carapace and the Plastron. The Carapace is the top part of the shell while the Plastron is the bottom part. These pieces are usually joined along the side of the body.
The shell is made primarily of bone and cartilage and is retained by the turtle or tortoise for the duration of their life. They do not leave their shell for a bigger one as they grow, unlike popular belief. Their shell simply grows with them.
Below is a list of some of the characteristics of Testudines, although there are exceptions.
- They have a dorsal bony carapace and a ventral bony plastron (upper and lower shell).
- They can retract their neck, either vertically or laterally.
- They have no teeth.
- They have internal fertilization and lay shelled amniotic eggs.
- The “Shoulder Blades” are located inside the ribcage, a trait that isn’t present in any other vertebrate.
So now that we know some of the main similarities between the two species, let’s take a look at some of the main differences between turtles and tortoises.
Differences between Turtles and Tortoises
The main difference between turtles and tortoises is that tortoises live on land while turtles live in water. While many species of turtles will spend large amounts of time out of the water to bask, they are an aquatic species and will always be found in or around water.
Tortoises can obviously be found near water also, but they are not aquatic. Most species of tortoise cannot swim at all and those that can swim, do so very poorly. Even tortoises that can swim will likely drown if they are placed in water as they will tire and sink if they don’t make it back to land quickly.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for people to mistakenly identify a tortoise as a struggling turtle and put it in the water. This unintentional act will likely result in the death of the tortoise and emphasises why it is so important to understand the difference between the two species.
Aside from one species being aquatic and the other being terrestrial, why can turtles swim but tortoises can’t? This is a common question asked, and for good reason given that the two species are related and look similar. The main reason for this is to do with the anatomy of the animals.
Turtles do not have ‘normal’ legs. They have limbs that consist of flippers or webbed feet. These limbs allow the turtle to glide through the water with ease. When on land they can use these limbs to move around, but they are far more efficient in water.
Their bodies are generally streamlined, with relatively flat shells to allow them to efficiently cut through the water. They cannot breathe under water and must surface for oxygen. However, many species have adapted to spend large amounts of time under water without having to surface.
A tortoise has short stubbly legs that are designed for walking on land. These short limbs are not suitable for swimming and a tortoise will struggle to stay afloat. Their bodies are not streamlined like a turtle and they often have large bulky shells. This generally adds more weight making it even more difficult to stay afloat.
Most species of tortoise are herbivores while many turtles are omnivores, eating a variety of fruit, veg and meat. Diet in these animals can vary greatly depending on species and location.
Another major difference between these animals is lifespan. This can vary greatly among species but in general a tortoise has a much larger lifespan than a turtle. Some species of tortoise can live for over 100 years while the lifespan of many turtle species is around 20-40 years.
If you liked this article, fell free to check out some of the other ones we have put together. We have listed some of them below.
Black and Yellow Snakes
Cross Contamination in Reptiles
How to Build a Wooden DIY Reptile Enclosure
How to Breed Poison Dart Frogs
Snake Mites – Everything you Need to Know
Why do Snakes Yawn
