Tortoise Vs Turtles
TORTOISES?
- HABITAT
- APPEARANCE
- FOOD
semi terrestrial
(lives mostly on land by requires
a moist environment or nearby water)
fresh water
SIZE
LIMBS
- BEHAVIOUR
usually large in size
sturdy and pudgy
feet
not modified
Herbivores
(feed entirely on plants)
CARAPACE
(Top Shell)
Ovoid
(3D Oval shape)
Head can be completely withdrawn into shell
Moves by walking very slowly
Provides protection for hatchlings
- LIFE SPAN
Average 60 to 80 years
TURTLES?
- HABITAT
- APPEARANCE
- FOOD
- BEHAVIOUR
- LIFE SPAN
aquatic and marine
(in the sea)
SIZE
LIMBS
CARAPACE
(Top shell)
comparatively
smaller in size
modified into
paddles
Heart shaped
can be herbivores, carnivores
or omnivores but most are omnivores
Head is partially withdrawn into shell
Moves quickly in water using its flippers
but moves slowly in sand by paddling the sand
Offers no protection to hatchlings
Average 40 to 60 years
LEATHERBACK
TURTLE
Largest turtle species
in the world
SIZE
Length 1.4m to 1.7m
Weigh up to 1000kg
APPEARANCE
Only species that does not have
hard shell and scales
Skin resembles rubbery leather
Have not changed in millions of years
since time of the dinosaurs
BEHAVIOUR
Swims 16000km annually to nesting grounds
Expert divers and dive up to 1200m
Can stay underwater without breathing for 85 minutes
Has sharp jaws to tear through jellyfish and salp