Turtles, tortoises and tortoises have very resistant protective shells, but they differ in relation to their habitat and the way they move their necks.
Turtles, turtles and tortoises have countless similarities with each other. They are all reptiles of the order Chelonians and, as such, share a unique protection system among vertebrates, known as the conch.
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Built by the union of some modified vertebrae and ribs, the shell is the largest link between turtles, tortoises and tortoises. The outermost part of this carapace is made up of thin plates rich in keratin.
In general, they are animals that live a long time, and some specimens are already more than 190 years old. There are reports of even more ancient beings. The dimensions can be very varied.
Furthermore, these three chelonians are oviparous: the embryo develops inside an egg, in an external environment. Regardless of the species, these creatures need to lay their eggs out of the water, digging hiding places on beaches, sandbars, or even land.
What is a turtle?
Turtles, the most popular chelonians, can be divided into two large groups: those that live in the oceans (marines) and those that inhabit fresh waters, such as rivers and lakes.
In the case of sea turtles, they have front legs that resemble oars. The neck can be retracted and partially hidden inside the shell (they belong to the suborder Cryptodira). The hull is flat and low, with good aerodynamics. They are completely aquatic and leave the sea, most of the time, to lay their eggs.
Among the most common examples are:
- Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta);
- Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata);
- Green turtle (Chelonia Mydas).
Unlike sea turtles, those that live in freshwater have splayed (flat) forelimbs. Some have sharp nails and interdigital webbing. In most cases they are aquatic. On the other hand, they can also vertically retract their neck inwards (Cryptodira) and have a flat shell.
Among the freshwater turtles, the Pará perema (Mesoclemmys sabiniparaensis) and the Amazon tortoise (Podocnemis expanded).
What is a turtle?
You turtles They have semi-aquatic habits, that is, their life is divided between staying on land and in fresh water. The hoof is flat and the hind legs are spread apart, with nails and interdigital membranes. However, these chelonians can only retract their necks laterally (suborder Pleurodira), as if folding it close to the hull.
Below, check out some turtle species:
- Chinstrap turtle (Phrynops geoffroano);
- Ribbed shell turtle (Emys orbicularis);
- Yellow turtle (Acanthochelys radiolata).
What is Jabuti?
Finally, turtles are completely terrestrial species and their legs are cylindrical, resembling the feet of an elephant. The neck can be retracted inwards (Cryptodira), and the hull is rather rounded, which might suggest the idea of ​​a helmet with legs.
Below, check out some turtle species:
- Pitiú (Podocnemis sextubercultata);
- Red turtle (Geochelone carbonaria);
- Yellow turtle (Geochelone denticulata).
Difference between turtle, tortoise and tortoise
It’s common to think that the biggest difference between turtles, tortoises, and turtles is in their habitat, with turtles living in the sea, turtles living between freshwater and land, and turtles living on land. This makes sense in almost all cases.
The Testudinata are divided into two groups, those that can hide their necks straight in the shell are called Cryptodira and those that hide their necks laterally are called Pleurodira
Now that we know a little more, let’s learn the differences! pic.twitter.com/0S3ZZidCip
— Life at the zoo 🦒 (@VidaNoZoo) March 31, 2020
In order to more accurately distinguish these reptiles, it is worth observing their hind legs and how they simultaneously “move” their neck. After all, sea turtles have oar-shaped legs and retract their necks “inward”, while freshwater turtles have legs further apart and also retract their necks in the same direction.
In the case of turtles, they have splayed legs, but only bend their necks. Meanwhile, turtles have cylindrical legs and retract their necks inward.
If you want to know if a species is terrestrial, just look at the case. If it is rounded it is a turtle. This is because turtles and tortoises have flatter, thinner shells, both hydrodynamic characteristics, which help reduce friction with the water during locomotion. It is worth noting that tortoises are generally smaller than tortoises.
Source: Tamar Project, CEUB AND Flickr
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Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
