Ever wondered what is the difference between a Tortoise and a Turtle?
We listed them here for you below!
–Difference in Habitat
A tortoise lives on land, while a turtle lives spends more of its time in the water.
–Differences in Birth
Both turtle and tortoise lay eggs on the ground. The mother tortoise will dig a burrow and lay two to twelve eggs there but in the case of a turtle, the hatchlings will stay inside the egg for 90 to 120 days.
Tortoise hatchlings will follow the mother to its own burrow; the mother provides protection to the hatchling for about 80 days, after which, they survive on their own. However, turtle hatchlings incubate on their own and once the process is completed, they dig their way to the surface and depart for a lifetime of sea voyage.
–Differences in Physical Characteristics
Turtles live in water, therefore the shell of a turtle is flat and streamlined, which aids in swimming and diving. However, tortoises which live on land, are rather large and dome shaped to provide protection from the predators.
Also, the shell of a tortoise is quite heavy as compared to that of a turtle, which is lighter to avoid sinking and helps to swim faster in the water.
–Difference in Lifespan
Tortoises generally have lifespans comparable with those of human beings, and some individuals are known to have lived 80-150 years (The longest living Tortoise is 326 years!!!!)
Sea turtles, requiring 40 to 50 years to mature, have life spans reaching 86 years old.
There you go! Some new gained knowledge about our suave and friendly marine creatures.
Do share with us your interesting encounters with turtles and tortoises! We would like to hear them =)
Thanks for sharing the differences between tortoises and turtles! I never knew that turtle hatchlings incubate on their own while tortoise hatchlings follow their mothers.
Wow, that’s a great observation! Yes, turtle hatchlings do incubate on their own for 90 to 120 days before emerging from the egg, whereas tortoise hatchlings follow their mothers and receive protection and care for about 80 days. It’s fascinating to learn about these differences in reproductive habits between turtles and tortoises! If you have any more questions or would like to share your own experiences with these amazing creatures, feel free to reach out to us at Tel: +65 6734 9373, Email: [email protected]
Wow, the lifespan of some tortoises is really impressive! I had no idea they could live up to 326 years. Thanks for sharing this interesting article!
That’s indeed amazing, Khai Heng! The longevity of tortoises is truly remarkable. We’re glad you found the article interesting and informative. At Gill Divers, we’re passionate about sharing our knowledge with our customers to inspire a greater appreciation for these incredible creatures. If you have any more questions or would like to learn more about turtles and tortoises, feel free to contact us at +65 6734 9373 or email us at [email protected].
I love learning about marine creatures! The differences in physical characteristics between turtles and tortoises are fascinating. Thanks for the informative post!
Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm about marine creatures, Yasmin! We’re glad to hear that our post was informative and interesting to you. The differences in physical characteristics between turtles and tortoises are indeed fascinating, and it’s great that you appreciate the unique features of these amazing animals. At Gill Divers, we believe that educating ourselves and others about ocean life is crucial for conservation efforts. If you have any more questions or topics you’d like to learn more about, feel free to reach out to us! Our phone number is +65 6734 9373, and our email address is [email protected].