Turtle vs. Tortoise

By Jaxson

Main Difference

The main difference between Turtle and Tortoise is that the Turtle is a order of reptiles and Tortoise is a family of turtles that live on land.

  • Turtle

    Turtles are diapsids of the order Testudines (or Chelonii) characterized by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs and acting as a shield. “Turtle” may refer to the order as a whole (American English) or to fresh-water and sea-dwelling testudines (British English). The order Testudines includes both extant (living) and extinct species. The earliest known members of this group date from 220 million years ago, making turtles one of the oldest reptile groups and a more ancient group than snakes or crocodilians. Of the 356 known species alive today, some are highly endangered.Turtles are ectotherms—animals commonly called cold-blooded—meaning that their internal temperature varies according to the ambient environment. However, because of their high metabolic rate, leatherback sea turtles have a body temperature that is noticeably higher than that of the surrounding water. Turtles are classified as amniotes, along with other reptiles, birds, and mammals. Like other amniotes, turtles breathe air and do not lay eggs underwater, although many species live in or around water. The study of turtles is called cheloniology, after the Greek word for turtle. It is also sometimes called testudinology, after the Latin name for turtles.

  • Tortoise

    Tortoises () are a family, Testudinidae, under the order Testudines and suborder Cryptodira. There are fourteen extant families of the order Testudines, an order of reptile commonly known as turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. The suborder Cryptodira (Greek: hidden neck) is a suborder of Testudines that includes most living tortoises and turtles. Cryptodira differ from Pluerodia (side-neck turtles) in that they lower their necks and pull the heads straight back into the shells, instead of folding their necks sideways along the body under the shells’ marginals. The testudines are some of the most ancient reptiles alive. Tortoises are shielded from predators by a shell. The top part of the shell is the carapace, the underside is the plastron, and the two are connected by the bridge.

    The carapace is fused to both the vertebrae and ribcage, and tortoises are unique among vertebrates in that the pectoral and pelvic girdles are inside the ribcage rather than outside. Tortoises can vary in dimension from a few centimeters to two meters. They are usually diurnal animals with tendencies to be crepuscular depending on the ambient temperatures. They are generally reclusive animals. Tortoises are the longest living land animal in the world, although the longest living species of tortoise is a matter of debate. Galápagos tortoises are noted to live over 150 years, but an Aldabra giant tortoise named Adwaita may have been the longest living at an estimated 255 years. In general, most tortoise species can live 80–150 years.

Wikipedia
  • Turtle (noun)

    Any land or marine reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise.

    “shellpad|q=obsolete|shield-toad|q2=archaic”

  • Turtle (noun)

    A marine reptile of that order.

    “sea turtle”

  • Turtle (noun)

    An Ancient Roman attack method, where the shields held by the soldiers hide them, not only left, right, front and back, but also from above.

    “testudo”

  • Turtle (noun)

    A type of robot having a domed case (and so resembling the reptile), used in education, especially for making line drawings by means of a computer program.

  • Turtle (noun)

    An on-screen cursor that serves the same function as a turtle for drawing.

  • Turtle (noun)

    The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.

  • Turtle (noun)

    A small element towards the end of a list of items to be bubble sorted, and thus tending to take a long time to be swapped into its correct position. Compare rabbit.

  • Turtle (noun)

    A breakdancing move consisting of a float during which the dancer’s weight shifts from one hand to the other, producing rotation or a circular “walk”.

  • Turtle (noun)

    A turtle dove.

  • Turtle (verb)

    To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down.

  • Turtle (verb)

    To turn and swim upside down.

  • Turtle (verb)

    To hunt turtles, especially in the water.

  • Turtle (verb)

    To build up a large defense force and strike only punctually, rather than going for an offensive strategy.

  • Tortoise (noun)

    Any of various land-dwelling reptiles, of family Testudinidae, whose body is enclosed in a shell (carapace plus plastron). The animal can withdraw its head and four legs partially into the shell, providing some protection from predators.

    “shellpad|q=obsolete”

Wiktionary

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