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
Habitat
Primarily live in the weewee and go on land from time to time
Live on the land entirely
Shell
Flat , smooth , and lightweight
Domed , thick , and toilsome
Feet
lean with web feet or flippers
Thick , uncompromising with " knees " and elephantine hind stage ; flat or claw infantry
Lifespan
20 to 40 years
60 to 80 years
Diet
Omnivores
Primarily herbivores
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 .
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 .
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 .