To the average mortal , " polo-neck " and " tortoise " are just two names for the same animal . In fact , while there are obvious similarities in appearance , there are clear differences between turtles and tortoise , and each has their own specific needs as pets . If you ’re deciding between perplex a polo-neck or tortoise as a pet , reviewing the characteristics of each can help in your decision - making .

Main Differences Between Turtle and Tortoises

Some key difference betweenturtlesand tortoise are :

turn turtle

Tortoise

Tortoise turtle in child’s hand

Habitat

Primarily live in the weewee and go on land from time to time

Live on the land entirely

Turtle or tortoise infographic

Shell

Flat , smooth , and lightweight

Domed , thick , and toilsome

Boy kissing a turtle

Feet

lean with web feet or flippers

Thick , uncompromising with " knees " and elephantine hind stage ; flat or claw infantry

Galapagos tortoise with stump legs and heavy domed shell

Lifespan

20 to 40 years

60 to 80 years

Differences between turtle’s and tortoise’s shell

Diet

Omnivores

Primarily herbivores

Diferences between turtle’s and tortoise’s legs

Which Makes the Better Pet?

Whether a tortoise or turtle is the good selection of dearie for you is based on case-by-case preference . However , there are a few key differences that make ducky ownership more challenging and dear :

tortoise survive much longer and you will want to accountfor their careif they will outlive you . Depending on your historic period , this may be just as much of an issue with a turtle .

Tortoises can become much big and require more way and specialized habitats , unlike turtles , which can live in an appropriately sized aquarium . Some tortoise species can weighup to 200 pounds .

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While both coinage do not love treatment , turtles are less comfortable with homo and are generally not as societal as some tortoises can be .

Both also need regularcleaningsof their habitat , but because polo-neck need water , their daytime - to - daycleaning and carecan be more extensive .

If the thought of feeding bugs to your favorite is a tangible negative stimulation , you ’ll feel it harder to allow for a turtle with a proper dieting compare to a vegetarian tortoise .

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Habitat Differences

The mostsignificant differencebetween turtles and tortoises is where they live . How they evolved to conform to their habitats has led to the other difference between them . Unlike turtles , which populate most of their life in the pee , the tortoise live their life on ground . count on thespecies of turtle , some do pass more time on country . Many move to land to hole up , bask in the Dominicus , or only to lay eggs , such as the ocean turtle .

Geographic Habitat

Another dispute between turtles and tortoises is where you may find their home ground geographically . Tortoises can be find in Africa , Asia , and the Americas . turtle are obtain in the Americas and Africa , whilesea polo-neck are found primarilyin warmer piddle in the Atlantic , Pacific , and Indian Ocean .

Physical Differences

Turtles and tortoise seem similar because they ’re bothlizardsthat go inside a portable hard eggshell they can retreat into for safety . Upon cheeseparing inspection , one can see the conflict in their physical structure .

Differences With the Shell

A tortoise and a turtle casing both have dissimilar shapes . A tortoise racing shell has a noggin frame , and they lean to be heavier and dense than a turtle ’s shell . A turtle ’s shell is insipid and light . This pretend sense when you consider turtle tend to know more in the water supply and need to be able to move about easily in an aquatic surround . A tortoise , on the other hand , lives on land and needs a shell that provides more protection from the elements and other fauna .

Differences With Their Legs

Again , due to the difference in home ground , a turtle ’s and tortoise ’s legs have accommodate to suit where they live . A tortoise has boneheaded , stalwart leg that help them move their heavy casing along terrain , with their hind legs appear almost like that of an elephant . They have clubbed pes with unconditional bottoms , although some tortoises have claw .

A polo-neck ’s leg come along straight rather than bent and are thin . They are design for swim and paddling the turtle through the urine . Their feet are also webbed . The exclusion issea turtleswho have feet that look like the fins or flipper on a fish .

Dietary Differences

Tortoises are herbivores and subsist on a dieting of plants like fresh vegetables , yield , and hay . They can occasionally eat insect , but their primary dieting is vegetarian . Turtles , on the other helping hand , aregenerally omnivoresdepending on the species . They eat a mixof insects , feeder fish , and veg .

Lifespan Differences

Another significant tip of difference between turtles and tortoise is lifespan . Atortoise can liveup to 150 years , although the norm is about 60 to 80 years . turtle hold up as long as 20 to 40 class at the most , except for sea turtles that can exist 60 to 70 years .

Reproductive Differences

Bothturtlesand tortoises lay eggs and hatch live young . The difference is that a turtle will sink their eggs and leave them , whereas a tortoise will continue to protect her nest during brooding and for a few weeks after birth . Turtle and tortoise eggs also have different incubation periods , although this varies quite a bit between specie . As an model , abox turtle’saverage incubation period is60 to 90 sidereal day , and asea turtle ’s is 60 . Tortoise eggs can takeeight to 11 weeksto incubate .

Scientific Genus

Another difference is in their scientific verbal description and group . Turtles are known as the orderTestudines , orChelonia , which refers to reptiles with a tough shield . tortoise are part of asuborder recognize asTestudinidae , which includes approximately 50 metal money of Edwin Herbert Land tortoise . This mean all tortoises are turtles , but not all turtles are tortoises !

Turtles and Tortoises: Similar Yet Different

There are many similarities between turtle and tortoises , which , of course , makes sense since tortoises are part of the polo-neck family . They share many physical , behavioral , andother characteristic , but one can clearly see how their different habitats have mold them over meter to create reptilian with their own unique qualities and need .

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