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Wildlife & Conservation

Is It a Tortoise or a Turtle?

They do look alike and share some traits. How can we tell them apart?

January/February 2020

TORTOISE

Mesquite53 | Dreamstime.com

Mesquite53 | Dreamstime.com

Large, domed shell

Heavy shell

Short, sturdy feet with bent legs

Hatchlings start making own burrows right away

Lifespan is 80–150 years

Oldest recorded was 326

Land-based

TURTLE

Viter8 | Dreamstime.com

Viter8 | Dreamstime.com

Flat, streamlined shell

Light shell

Webbed feet with long claws

Hatchlings stay in nest three to four months

Lifespan is 20–40 years

Oldest recorded was 86

Aquatic

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January/February 2020 Issue
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