Tortoises vs Turtles

Tanto las tortugas de tierra (tortoise) como las marinas (turtle) son dos reptiles de la orden de Testudines, pero pertenecen a diferentes familias de clasificación . La principal diferencia entre las dos es que unas habitan en la tierra, mientras que las otras lo hacen en el agua o muy cerca de ella.

Los cuerpos de ambas tortugas están protegidos por una concha, a la parte superior se le llama caparazón, la parte inferior es el plastrón. El caparazón y el plastrón están unidos por un puente, lo que significa que aunque la cabeza y las extremidades pueden ser retirados de la concha, el cuerpo no puede ser en ningún caso totalmente separado de ella. Estos reptiles son generalmente solitarios y tímidos. La tortuga de tierra vive entre 80 y 150 años, aunque algunas han sobrepasado los 300, son mayormente hervíboras. Las de agua son omnívoras, pesan menos y también viven menos, entre 20 y 40 años.

Tortoises and turtles are both reptiles from the order of Testudines, but in different classification families. The major difference between the two is that tortoises dwell on land, while turtles live in the water some or nearly all of the time.

The bodies of tortoises and turtles are both shielded by a shell, the upper part of which is called carapace, with the lower portion called a plastron. The carapace and the plastron are attached by a bridge, which means that though the head and limbs of a turtle or tortoise may be withdrawn from the shell, the whole body can never be totally detached from it. These reptiles are generally reclusive and shy in nature.

Definition	A Tortoise is a reptile from the Chelonian family and dwells well on land.	A Turtle is a reptile from the Chelonian family and dwells well in the water.
Distribution	Found mostly in Asia and Africa but some species exist in Americas too.	Africa, America.
Shape of the shell	Mostly large dome shaped shells (with bumps on the top in some species).	Mostly flat, streamlined shells.
Weight of the shell	The shells are heavier.	Generally light-weight shell.
Limbs	Feet are short and sturdy with bent legs.	Webbed feet with long claws.
Diet	Most are herbivores, but some species prefer live food.	Eats fruits, veggies, leafy vegetation and meat, hence they are omnivores.
Birth	Tortoise hatchlings move from their nest to the mothers burrow soon after birth.	Turtle hatchlings stay in their nest on their own for 90-120 days.
Lifespan	80-150 years. The longest living Tortoise is 326 years.	20-40 years. The oldest was 86 years.
Kingdom	Animalia	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata	Chordata
Class	Reptilia	Reptilia
Order	Testudines (a.k.a., Chelonii)	Testudines (a.k.a., Chelonii)
Family	Testudinidae	Numerous families, including Carettochelyidae (pig-nosed turtle), Dermatemydidae (Central American river turtles), Emydidae (pond/water turtles), etc.