Did you know there are nearly 50 types of tortoises, each unique in size? Sea turtles, on the other hand, can reach up to six feet long and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Both tortoises and turtles belong to the same group, called Testudines or Chelonia. But not every turtle is a tortoise. Knowing the main differences between them is important.
Distinguishing Turtles from Tortoises
Identifying turtles and tortoises is easier when you know their physical differences. A big clue is their hind-limb anatomy. Tortoises have big, columnar hind limbs and feet, unlike the flipper-like limbs of other turtles. They also have fewer digits on their feet.
Tortoises eat mostly plants, while turtles eat both plants and small animals. This eating habit difference helps tell them apart.
The shape of their shells also sets them apart. Tortoises have a high-domed shell, while turtles have a flatter shell. This shape matches their living spaces. Tortoises live on land, and turtles live in water.
Knowing these differences in physical traits and behavior makes it easy to spot turtles and tortoises. This is true whether you see them in the wild or at a zoo.
Tortoises: Exclusively Land Dwellers
Tortoises live on land, in places like deserts and wet forests. They don’t spend much time in water, only for drinking and the occasional bath. Their thick limbs and domed shells help them move around on land.
Tortoises stay on land, unlike sea turtles which live in the sea and come ashore to lay eggs. Turtles move between water and land, showing they can adapt to different places. Box turtles, however, live their whole lives on land.
Tortoises have special features like high, dome-shaped shells and “elephant feet” for walking on land. Turtles and sea turtles have flatter shells and webbed feet for swimming.
Every Saturday and Sunday at 2:15 pm, the Science Mill offers public feedings of African spurred tortoises. This is a chance to see these land reptiles up close.
Turtles: Adapted for Life in Water
Turtles are different from tortoises because they live in water. They have shells that are flat and flippers for their limbs. These features help them move through the water easily. This is unlike tortoises, who have round shells and big legs for walking on land.
The biggest turtle, the leatherback sea turtle, can be 1-1.75 meters long and weigh 250 to 700 kg. This shows how well aquatic turtles can live in their turtle habitats. Tortoises, on the other hand, eat plants and have strong shells and legs for walking on land.
Turtles have evolved over millions of years to live in water. Their bodies and flippers are made for swimming. This lets them live in many turtle habitats, from oceans to lakes and rivers. They are very successful in their aquatic world.
What is the Difference Between Turtle and Tortoise?
Turtles and tortoises may look alike at first, but they are quite different. The main difference is where they live. Tortoises live on land and love dry places. Turtles live in the water and have bodies made for swimming.
Tortoises have a round shell and strong legs for walking on land. Turtles have a flat shell and flippers for swimming. These differences show how they live in different places.
Tortoises eat mostly plants, while turtles eat both plants and animals. This shows how they have adapted to their environments in different ways.
Diverse Species of Turtles and Tortoises
| Turtle Species | IUCN Status | Tortoise Species | IUCN Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawksbill Sea Turtle | Critically Endangered | Radiated Tortoise | Critically Endangered |
| Loggerhead Sea Turtle | Vulnerable | Ploughshare Tortoise | Critically Endangered |
| Leatherback Sea Turtle | Vulnerable | Painted Terrapin | Critically Endangered |
| Olive Ridley Sea Turtle | Vulnerable | Russian Tortoise | Threatened |
| Green Sea Turtle | Endangered | Seychelles Giant Tortoise | Least Concern |
The world is home to a wide variety of turtle and tortoise species. Both belong to the order Testudines but have key differences. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists about 300 living species across 97 genera in the Testudines order. Of these, 18 genera and around 49 species are tortoises.
According to the IUCN, 44% of turtle species are endangered or critically endangered. This includes 270 turtle species, with 68 critically endangered, 46 endangered, 56 vulnerable, 35 near threatened, and 46 least concern. Tortoises face a similar threat, with 20 out of 58 IUCN-assessed species critically endangered, seven endangered, 15 vulnerable, two near threatened, and six least concern.
There are seven types of sea turtles, including the hawksbill, loggerhead, and leatherback. The leatherback sea turtle is the largest, reaching up to 6 feet long and weighing 2,000 pounds. Tortoises live mainly in Asia and Africa, with some in the Americas. They vary greatly in size, with the giant tortoises of the Galapagos and Aldabra Islands being among the largest, with shells up to 4 feet long and weighing up to 700 pounds.
Migratory Patterns and Nesting Habits
Turtles and tortoises have amazing ways of moving and nesting. Marine turtles, like the leatherback sea turtle, travel thousands of miles each year. They go from their feeding grounds to tropical and subtropical places to nest. These turtles can grow up to seven feet long and weigh up to 1500 pounds.
They are among the most traveling animals, going over 10,000 miles a year to find jellyfish to eat.
Sea turtles, including the loggerhead turtle, always come back to nest near where they were born. They have a built-in compass in their brains to help them find their way. Ocean currents also guide them back to their nesting sites.
Tortoises don’t travel as far as turtles, but they still make long journeys. For example, the Galapagos tortoise can weigh over 800 pounds and be six feet long. They move from highlands to lowlands to lay their eggs. Saving their nesting places is key to protecting these endangered species.
Dietary Preferences: Herbivores vs Omnivores
Turtles and tortoises have different diets. Tortoises mainly eat plants like cacti, grass, fruit, and weeds. Turtles eat a mix of fish, small animals, seaweed, and water plants. This shows how they live in different places, with tortoises on land and turtles in water.
Herbivorous turtles get important nutrients from plants. They eat things like wild plants, which help them grow and stay healthy. Some turtles eat both plants and animals, making their diets more varied.
Tortoises mostly eat plants but sometimes have meat like dead mice or birds. They also eat insects. Terrapins are mostly meat-eaters, eating fish and crustaceans. Experts are still learning about what tortoises and turtles need to eat to be healthy.
Galapagos Islands: Home to Giant Tortoises and Green Sea Turtles
The Galapagos Islands are famous for two amazing reptiles: the giant Galapagos tortoise and the Galapagos green sea turtle. These creatures have fascinated nature lovers and conservationists.
The Galapagos tortoise lives only on the Galapagos Islands. It’s known for its huge size and long life. These giants can be over 900 pounds, which is four times as heavy as an adult human. They can live up to 160 years, making them one of the longest-living animals on Earth.
The Galapagos green sea turtle travels long distances across the eastern Pacific Ocean. They go from Baja California in Mexico to the Galapagos, Costa Rica, and Peru. Visitors love watching these turtles move gracefully in the water.
When you visit the Galapagos, you can see these reptiles on land and in the water. Hiking trails and observation platforms let you see the giant tortoises up close. Snorkeling and swimming trips let you see the Galapagos green sea turtle in the water.
The Galapagos Islands are full of unique species, including over 20 reptiles found nowhere else. These islands inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. They continue to amaze people from all over the world who visit to see their wonders.
Threats Facing Turtles and Tortoises
Turtles and tortoises have been on Earth for millions of years. Now, they face many threats to their survival. Nearly half of the 360 known species are at risk of disappearing, says the IUCN Red List. This shows we need to act fast to save these amazing animals.
The main threat is losing their homes. Deforestation, urban growth, and more farming have destroyed their habitats. Aquatic turtles are also in danger due to changes in rivers and wetlands. Their long lives make them extra vulnerable to pollution.
Another big threat is the illegal wildlife trade. Many turtles and tortoises are taken from their homes to be pets, used in traditional medicine, or eaten. To help, we need to use turtle-excluder devices in fishing nets and protect their habitats. This is key to saving endangered turtles and tortoises worldwide.