Want to know the differences between terrestrial and water turtles?In this peritoAnimal article, we focus on the details of the evolution of these fantastic reptiles over time.
In the Triassic, 260 million years ago, the turtle’s ancestor, Captorhinus, first appeared: it was the first reptile to have a shell covering its chest, organs and also its ribs. This has allowed some animals, such as the turtle, to develop a bony shell.
Read on to learn all about turtles!
There is a big difference between the ages in which a turtle can live depending on its species, terrestrial turtles, for example, have the longest lifespan of more than 100 years, in fact, the longest-lived turtle in history was a radiated turtle (Astrochelys radiata) that reached 188 years of age.
On the other hand, water turtles usually live between the ages of 15 and 20. Another case is freshwater turtles, which can live up to 30 years if they receive good care.
The legs of turtles are one of the most important elements to determine if we are facing a water turtle from a terrestrial tortoise.
Knowing that sea turtles are constantly inside the water, it makes sense that their legs are made up of a kind of membrane that allows them to swim. These membranes, called interdigital membranes, because they are between the toes, are easy to detect with the naked eye.
In the case of terrestrial turtles that do not have these membranes, their legs are tube-shaped and their fingers are more developed.
Another interesting difference is that sea turtles have long, finished nails, while terrestrial turtles are shorter and atrophied.
Character depends a lot on the habitat in which they grow and whether they are domestic or not.
In the case of water turtles, they are generally very calm despite their interaction if they are in captivity, they are very few.
However, the temperament of terrestrial turtles is stronger, because living in freedom and having to protect their young is what makes them more irascible and always defensive.
An example of extreme aggression can be seen in the alligator tortoise, a turtle that perfectly adapts to life on land and water.
In the case of the shell, the most important difference is that if the water turtle has a smooth and very smooth shell that helps it move in the water, the terrestrial tortoise has a wrinkled and very irregularly shaped shell. This latter type of shell is very characteristic, for example, of the African spur turtle.
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