Turtles & Tortoises
For the most part, the terms "turtle" and "tortoise" are used to refer to the differences in where the animals live, and their adaptations to these environments, but the terms do not indicate a strict taxonomic separation. "Turtle" is often used for both turtles and tortoises.
Age
The earliest known turtles date from 215 million years ago, making turtles one of the oldest reptile groups, even more ancient than lizards and snakes. About 300 species are alive today, although some are highly endangered.
Tortoises have life spans comparable with that of humans; some are known to have lived longer than 150 years or more.
Physical Characteristics
Like other reptiles, turtles are cold-blooded, their body temperature depends directly on the temperature of the air or water around them, they breathe air, and all lay eggs on land, although many species live in or around water.
Although many turtles spend most of their lives in the water, all turtles and tortoises breathe air. Sea turtles and other aquatic turtle still must surface at regular intervals to refill their lungs. Most tortoise species spend most, if not all, their lives on dry land.
Defenses
The turtle's protection comes from a shell composed of hard, bone plates covered by scutes. The scutes are made of keratin, the primary substance in hair, nails and hooves of other animals. The pigment melanin, present in the scutes, may form intricate designs and brightly colored patterns in some species.
Giant Tortoises: Aldabra and Galapagos
Aldabra tortoises come from the Seychelles islands located in the Indian Ocean east of Africa. Galapagos tortoises inhabit the Galapagos Islands off the western coast of South America. Both types of giant tortoises are rare. They are protected on their native islands and every effort is being made to increase their numbers to a safe level.
Aldabra Tortoise
Aldabra Tortoise
Methuselah the Galapagos Tortoise
Baby Galapagos Tortoise
Conservation Status
Galapagos tortoises are especially threatened and are listed as Endangered Species. Reptile Gardens has long been a financial supporter of the Charles Darwin Research Station in the Galapagos in an effort to save this magnificent species.
Causes for population declines: Whaling vessels. When ships stopped at the islands, they often left animals behind or removed the tortoises from their native land.
Pigs and goats were released to breed in anticipation of future whaling crew coming to the island. Rats, cats and dogs that either jumped ship or were released also caused problems for the tortoises. While none of these animals kill the adult tortoise directly, they either eat or otherwise destroy their eggs or compete with them for food.