Tortoises ARE Turtles!

Are turtles and tortoises the same thing? Are box turtles actually tortoises? Are the only true turtles the ones that live in the sea? These are some extremely popular questions we receive in herpetology and the whole topic is riddled with misconceptions! Learn the truth in this video and find out just how different or similar turtles and tortoises really are.
Whether it's a sea turtle, Galapagos tortoise, red eared slider, or a diamondback terrapin, there are some interesting and downright surprising facts to be learned about what they really are!
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Who is Garden State Tortoise?
However you made it here, thank you and welcome to Garden State Tortoise. Garden State Tortoise is home to hundreds of animals from all around the world. We are a family dedicated to adventure, conservation of wildlife, and all things nature. We are a reptile rescue and breeding facility for more than ten years, offering refuge to those who need it, and working everyday to protect the beautiful world of reptiles in any way we can. Here on our KZbin channel you will be able to join us on our animal adventures while learning how to care for, protect, properly identify, feed and even breed many species of turtle, tortoise, snake and lizard. We even work with frogs and salamanders! We hope you enjoy our videos and help us share them with the world so we can continue to educate people of all ages about herpetology.
Chris and Casey Leone

[@NYandAZ]

I love the looong stretch and smile of the Galapagos starting at 1:08. OMG. Sooo cute!!! 🥰🥰

[@carschmn]

7:57 I’m kind of amused at how fractious Otis is. Everyone else is cooperating and he’s like “let me at ‘em!!”

[@lauraloverso8014]

That tortoise's face (the dark One) it's very sweet!! All tortoises and turtles are very cute!

[@quix66hiya22]

I have to kept telling my mom the basic difference about water vs. no water. Now I’ll just refer her here. Great video! Thanks.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Awesome, thank you for watching!

[@wasahug]

They ALL need water. It's just Wether they need a LOT of water or a Frisbee of it. This day & age with "common sense " not being very common it's best not to assume people know ANYTHING. (Sad but True)

[@quix66hiya22]

@@wasahug well, mom has a PhD and was a professor so I assume she understands that tortoises need water! It was my shorthand way of explaining where they live and that tortoises don’t swim too well.

[@loriw2661]

Boy did I learn something here I thought the exact opposite. I thought they all fell under tortoises not turtle. Thanks for setting me straight! I love science and the scientific method!!

[@tamarrajames3590]

All of your Turtles and Tortoises are so beautiful, it is clear to see how well taken care of they are. Your content is always interesting and informative, and I hope you realize how appreciated you are. I loved the short of the male Tortoise who saved his mate’s life by flipping her back over.🖤🇨🇦

[@hermanidangraeca7826]

one of the biggest differences between the two is of course the price, tortoises are more expensive than turtles (laughs)

[@dansturtleroom]

Great video! I was thinking that in the back of my mind before you got to the box turtle part confusing them with tortoises. You even hear stories of people finding gopher tortoises in Florida and putting them in ponds. Your channel is very educational to not only the general public but people who have been keeping turtles for a long time.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thanks Dan!!

[@bryanstrange3176]

@@GardenStateTortoise hey bud, really enjoying the videos. What part of jersey are you located? I'm from Vineland NJ but currently in NC. It's nice to see that there's amazing people left in my beautiful home state.

[@MultiPetercool]

If only my College zoology professor had been as simple and direct!! Excellent!

[@reptilesrodents]

Learning something every day. I know a few reptiles in general it's my family but I was never a huge Turtle guy. And what I specifically learned was about the box Turtle not being classified as a tortis. I guess I knew them as a box turtle, and I know all tortoises are turtles. But if you asked me about a box turtle I would have thought it was classified as a tortis. Very cool. Thank you.

[@Sensekhmet]

Herpetology and linguistics: in some languages, a turtle is an "armoured toad": "schildpad" (Dutch), "Schildkröte" (German). Similarly in some Slavic languages turtle, tortoise or terrapin does not really matter, it's a "żółw" (Polish) or a "черепаха" (Russian). Interestingly, most of those language territories have only one naturally occurring chelonian: the Eurasian pond turtle (emys orbicularis). So for those people, "a turtle" was really that single turtle.

[@yorhaunit9s923]

Yes, the *armored toad*

[@ithilweenshadowsong8151]

English: an entire brain melting essay with three different words. Spanish: tortuga

[@GardenStateTortoise]

🤣🤣

[@marsfeathers]

lmaoooo the turtle that was escaping in the background at 10:55 !!! he got out on camera 😂

[@Msflammer]

Great video! I'm glad that in my language there's a single word for all turtles, and we just make the difference by saying "land turtle or water turtle". We don't have to deal with that guy in every turtle post saying "is not a turtle, it's a tortoise/terrapin".

[@dorothyvarga6251]

Great video! Love seeing Otis and your new puppy! Always learn something while watching your videos.

[@jenniferbuckle273]

We rescued a Greek Tortoise. Learning so much about her and her needs. Their diet seems to be very limited and I would love more info about the Greek tort. Any suggestions?

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Yes, I actually wrote a detailed blog on how to feed them and other Mediterranean tortoise species. Here’s the link: www.gardenstatetortoise.com/post/tortoise-diet-testudo-species

[@jenniferbuckle273]

@@GardenStateTortoise Thank you. She is a Tunisian Tort. Her shell is clearly pyriamiding which occured prior to our rescue. Unfortunate but she is still so beautiful. 🥰 Do you have anything specific to these subspecies of Greeks? I want to care for her to the best of my capabilities, she deserves the best of the best.

[@ArmyForTheAnimals]

Love your videos and love Otis!❤️ I have a Russian Tortoise that's been with me for 10 years now. She's sweet, friendly, and likes a good shell scratch here and there. She almost never soaks herself tho (maybe 6 times in the decade I've had her), and does not really enjoy "bath time" either. I just change her large soaking dish every couple of days because it gets a bit dusty from her bedding. She gets most of her water from her food and her mandatory soaks lol. 😜

[@sharondickinson3837]

As the saying goes " you learn something new everyday", thanks for sorting this out. 🙂🙃 Otis was definitely thinking " let me at 'em Chris", his angry determination to reach the others made me smile 😆

[@Thewitchofwildlife]

Great video! I learned so much 😊💯 and always so happy to see Otis and friends!

[@vixenligon1167]

Otis is attitude was “I’m gonna mess some turtles up. How dare they be near me” he is so territorial

[@CeilingCat44]

One thing I never quite understood in Eastern Ky is a lot of people call Eastern Box Turtles "Tarpins".

[@hoosier_turtles_and_tortoises]

Well… KY has some odd ways of saying lots of things.🤣 I’m just north of you in Indiana and my wife’s entire family is from Somerset KY. I love the accent with certain things. ‘Tarpins’ is one of them. Hahaha

[@wasahug]

Another Excellent Informative Video. Thank You @The Garden State Tortious!! Would you PLEASE do a video that includes Your thoughts, feelings, & knowledge on brushing turtles!!

[@wasahug]

No that's not an auto correct. I'm talking about the BIG Craze of people recommending people Brush their turtles shells with a toothbrush! . I'm HOPING that if people see You addressing the issue that they may stop.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

100% GREAT IDEA.

[@soaringhawkjaylorihaack6339]

Me: (enthusiastically sending out the link to this video to all my non-turtle friends who keep insisting my box turtles are tortoises)

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Haha yes!

[@Heatseeker872591]

Brilliant video. Im in love with your baby Galapagos. Cant wait to see new videos and watch him grow

[@DSheartlady]

another fascinating video thank you for the posting 😊

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you for watching!

[@DSheartlady]

@@GardenStateTortoise you are welcome😊

[@sunnyd9884]

ive been frustrated so often having to re-explain this stuff with my parents so they don’t make trying to care for my turtle any more difficult…haha

[@azariacba]

You’ve really gotten me interested in tortoises. They look like little tanks. And this was a helpful guide.

[@YouLookism]

awwww the galap baby! 😊🐢💕

[@yingandtheyang924]

4:08 he looks so happy and content 🤗❤️

[@budiawan1784]

I wish I have diamondback terrapin.

[@loispadgett6306]

Keep up the great teaching I love learning about all turtles weather aquatic or land. Thank Otis for his keeping us entertain also so cute. GOD BLESS 🐢💖🐢💖🐢💖🐢💖

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you again Lois!

[@ClioMako]

That was a great video, thank you. Was that Mississippi map the infamous perverted one? I love that little rascal so much.

[@ashleyphilbrick573]

Very interesting & informative! I learn something new everyday!! Thank you for breaking it down

[@celinamueller3768]

I love your chanel and all of your wonderful information. What do you use to keep your tortoise shells shiny?

[@-cMc-]

This video was long over due. Thank you for explaining these animals

[@PondPuppies]

My step dad is from the hills of Kentucky and calls Eastern Box turtles "tarpons" lol🤦

[@gone4175]

Have any recommendations for plants I can put inside my box turtle enclosure

[@AlleneSR]

Thank you for the great information!

[@CaylorsReptilesAquatics]

Great information

[@user-vu3kt7ss5q]

I had to listen to it without watchin i get distracted by the cuteness. Especially while they are eating.

[@myhandlehasbeenmishandled]

How are their shells so shiny? The shell of my Greek tortoise is so dull. Looking at your vid on Greek tortoises he is also very small. Had him for about 20 years. Probably wild cought. At my early 20s I really didn't know better about those issues. To add - i don't plan on living another 100 - 125 years, sooooo, there is a slight issue there. What happens to these guys once their owners expire?

[@dimitriosfotopoulos3689]

Find someone in your family, and try to see if they develop an interest in, or affection for your tortoise. I have a 7 year old redfoot, and I just turned 60, so it's a safe bet he will need another loving caretaker. My tort is friendly, personable & responsive, so he's made that a lot easier for me. I have been slowly introducing my niece and grandniece to his care & feeding. They both seem to be taken with him, so I am happy that he will have a good home to go to.

[@myhandlehasbeenmishandled]

@@dimitriosfotopoulos3689 you know, now that you bring up behavior, my guy started to be very aggressive since we moved about 3 or 4 years ago. Before that I was able to feed him by hand. Now even if his favorite food is in my hand he'll avoid it and try to go for a finger. When this problem started it was the first time I've seen tortoise lunge itself to attack. And he'll try to bite anyone if they have their hand anywhere near him.

[@dimitriosfotopoulos3689]

@@myhandlehasbeenmishandled I'm learning as I go, and can't claim any particular expertise, so I'm just spitballing here. But is it possible that something about the move upset him? Or could there be something about the layout of his new enclosure that makes him feel insecure? Another possibility is if your tort has reached sexual maturity. I have heard that some of the males of certain species can get a bit more territorial after maturity. Pretty much from day one, I made sure to interact with my tort a little bit every day. I was told that they can feel thru their shells and so I made sure to get him used to getting scratched on the back of his shell, to the point where he now loves it and wiggles when I do it. I would always touch each foot as well and his head as well, so he got used to it, and always bring food, so he would associate only good things with my visits. It's a bit manipulative, but I'm not above bribing him and after about 4 years it seemed to have worked, because now he's often waiting for me. A fair amount of the time, he ignores the food, and just wants a scratchy instead. Redfoots do often seem to get along with each other, so maybe the social skill sets are different with each species. Maybe our hosts, the Leones have an idea. Both have probably forgotten more about tortoises than I am likely to learn.

[@fabianm.4217]

I believe he said that he uses coconut oil to give them a temporary gloss just for videos tho…

[@slickshoes238]

Hey I have a question so when you get an aquatic turtle can you have them you of water for more than 1 hour and can you give them a bath in the bathtub???

[@Itsurlocal_Marvellover]

Yeah I hope he answers bc I have that same question

[@mlewis8579]

So very interesting!!! Now, what does a scoot look like before falling off?

[@lorrainebarnes4633]

Great video I learned so much

[@-cMc-]

Box turtles are my favorite 😍 ❤❤

[@ticygomes85]

I've a South American red feet, can you please make a video talking more about this animal? Last year he needed to have a major surgery because he ate something metallic and his p""is went out and he couldn't put it back, so in the surgery they took it off and a piece of his intestine. Now he's living his life normally, he eats less and couldn't live with his 2 brothers anymore, they started to bite each other. Why this happens?

[@Andrea-ws1vd]

great video thank you!

[@pawsandclaws12]

So, why do you call your YT channel Garden State Tortoises when you keep turtles, tortoises, and terrapins? Great video btw!

[@nathancruz9172]

Tortoise only lives in the dry lands.

[@ComradeTomatoTurtle]

Turtle is just used to describe members of the order. From my understanding The biggest difference is a tortoise is a digitigrade animal and walks on its toes, like elephants. In the UK it's often just used to describe sea turtles. But so many people just want to correct you if you call a tortoise a turtle, that's it's honestly a waste of time. Like my pfp is a tortoise, why wouldn't I know the difference?

[@sephikong7880]

Ikr! They might even call you stupid if you call them turtles. So annoying!

[@pamelacommons7315]

I was always wondering that ?

[@lolhet667]

Never thought about it!

[@shiyumiza]

thank you for describing the type of forsen's clone that speed-run minecraft

[@robbrcnstuff4220]

Turtles are awesome 👍👍

[@davidrumbol5618]

Another great video. I have several box turtles on my property that I see every year. I just leave them be.

[@robertj2268]

You guys got any baby eastern box turtles available?

[@wendysue42]

Absolutely beautiful turtles! I have three aquatics myself❤

[@Itsurlocal_Marvellover]

Hey I have a question

[@wendysue42]

Sure, whats up?

[@Itsurlocal_Marvellover]

@@wendysue42 can aquatic turtles be out of water for more than an hour, and can you bathe them in the bathtub.

[@wendysue42]

Yes, you need to let them get on a perch with a heat lamp so they can dry out so they don’t get shell rot

[@Itsurlocal_Marvellover]

So yes, they can be out of the water for more than an hour and I just need a heat lamp so they don’t get she rot when I bathe them in the bathtub?

[@jenniferbeasley9966]

Nice interesting facts , didn't know tortoises were in fact turtles just always thought just close relation . I learned something new thanks for sharing👍👍

[@kristabuzzell4441]

My tortoise 🐢 does the same thing when I hold him he acts like he’s swimming in the air 😂😊

[@angl2353]

My Hermann’s tortoise once attacked my plate of chicken 😀, now it explains it! The question is: Should I offer my tortoise meat from time to time? So far I only fed it greens and sometimes fruits. I would love to hear your input. Thank you!

[@wasahug]

Check the response that was given to Jennifer in the comments above. I think you will find your answer there. It's a link to an article written by Chris (The Garden State Tortoise) on Tortoises Diets. ;)

[@angl2353]

thank you so much!

[@Goalsplus]

Has anyone else seen a turtle stand up and run on its hind legs like a biped? (I saw one cross a 6 lane freeway that way. It was pretty fast too.)

[@pamelacommons7315]

I've missed seeing Otis🐢

[@charliestacks1]

Great video Sir. I have the privilege of being a care giver of a 7 year old female african leopard tortoise named "Tippie"💚

[@toadranchcages]

Love it!! I feel vindicated 😂

[@-cMc-]

Terrapin are soooooo cute 😍 💖

[@angelastrazzella6007]

can i bring my nephew there if i wanted is this open to public or your viewers?

[@GardenStateTortoise]

We aren’t open to the public but we do take part in educational events. We post when we will be somewhere on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

[@dooks94]

Make a video about the new leopard!

[@lauraloverso8014]

Ciao Otis!❤️

[@halfbreed4life62]

I feel for you dude...the way we named these dudes can get very confusing. But even tortoises need to get water absorbed in their thick skin or they crack. So in truth as he just said they have the same tendencies. It's just some are better in water & some aren't. It depends on species. I grew up saving these cotton picking box turtles here in the Carolinas from sunbathing in the roads I've mended cracked shells and built creeks & small ponds in fenced areas until they healed. But box turtles are great for your yard. They eat jar flies & other annoying insects. But keep them out of your food gardens cause they'll annihilate your lettuces & squash leaves. Boxies make great pets as I've had a few in my lifetime. They like Otis are inquisitive and learn to love you rather quickly. Box turtles don't need creeks or ponds but enjoy. The water. As long as it's shallow. I absolutely love this channel. Otis takes me back. I don't know if he thought about telling you guys this way. A turtle that is always in water and swims will have all 4 paddle feet. Where land/water dwellers have rear paddles & front legs. Land dwellers that use shallow pools or creeks,puddles or ponds for their water time have dinosaur like feet. As he said you can just call them all turtles. Because truthfully they all need the water time because of their thick scaly skin. But ocean turtles on come on land to lay eggs. Altho they are known to come out on land sometimes to escape predators. So, Google it but don't trust the summarized definition go deeper. But this guy knows his stuff. So, correcting him is gonna get you schooled. Btw...I'm in my 60's and I'm still saving those cotton picking box turtles from sunning in the road!!!

[@gracie2298]

💋for Otis!

[@leongliyang6946]

Otis: must... get ...some ...friends... i'm too extrovert to be on your hand sir. Chris: Otis on my hand so he won't attack other. * Also Otis saw the introvert friend in the shell with plastron shut * Otis: Hey!, look I won't attack you... FRIEND ?

[@ColsenTaylorFishing]

Nice video

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Thank you

[@Fatima.114]

I love them all

[@Shaden0040]

Now what defines a terrapin from turtles and tortoises?

[@josephbell6130]

I think its the ability to live in brackish (slightly salty) water that separates terrapins from turtles, even though they are technically turtles

[@wilhelmtan5301]

to add to tortoises eating animals, last year, an Aldabra tortoise was reported catching and feeding on a sea bird.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

100%, crazy video!

[@valeriebenson8770]

I do see in video you have there is a black tortoise. My turtle tortoise is a " black bottom " tortoise? She is very pretty.

[@amandah2866]

And all very cute!

[@carolynschweitzer7901]

Interesting by I’m really just here to see Otis.

[@-cMc-]

The pancake tortoise 🐢 😍

[@sebastianniqvist3144]

1:13 Is that a real baby Galapagos tortoise? Which island does it come from? If that is a real Galapagos tortoise that is really interesting.

[@Sad_Gum]

can anyone help me and tell me what species and which kind of subspecies of turtle is in 6:55 to 7:00

[@carmelaszymanski8232]

OTTIS on the attack..lol

[@ako_ito]

I love watching them. My dream of being able to hold them one day...

[@GardenStateTortoise]

❤️thanks for watching

[@MelaMD]

Idk what type of turtle it was but my little brother had a little one in a huge tank and there was a big rock in it and my mom was cleaning it out one day and the rock fell on the turtle and it died so she went and bought another one to replace it and my brother came back from his little friends house and was playing with his turtle and came out to my mom and said “busters nails are a lot longer today” 😂 and she had to tell him what happened cuz he knew something was up lol my mom felt so bad cuz she cleaned it all the time cuz the tank was so heavy my brother couldn’t do it and that happened she was crying 😢 oh it was a little black turtle with partially webbed feet and he stayed in a small amount of water in the tank

[@smartman123]

this tortoise so cute

[@decibel333]

I really enjoyed the video and info but having a hard time getting over your use of the word "designed" as if the turtle shells are tech!

[@johnd9402]

Wouldn’t a eastern box turtle be a tortoise???

[@tabasdezh]

Otis is a new species of turtles.

[@ryanfields5181]

I like turtles! Turtle, turtle, turtle....

[@rosavillanueva5189]

This are the differences I had before this vid: 1. If it looks like a boulder, it's a tortoise (tortuga de tierra). 2. If the shell is a bit more plain and the feet are paddles, it's a sea water turtle. 3. If the shell is a bit more plain, but the feet looks like a mix of paddles and claws and it is sold on pet stores, they're the cute fresh water turtles.

[@HarlinyBonnyelmorrocoy]

Mi tortuga es un patas rojas y a pesar de que claramente es de tierra, le fascina el agua Incluso saben nadar, aunque en mi caso no lo he comprobado Cuando llueve es una locura Trata de meterse en los bebederos, por eso le conseguí una "tina" Se refresca Bebe agua Defeca Toma el sol Le fascina el agua

[@valeriebenson8770]

I have a BLACK TURTLE or TORTOISE.

[@wasahug]

Does Watercolor have webbed feet & low aerodynamic shell? Or non webbed feet & more of a taller domed type shell?

[@valeriebenson8770]

@@wasahug no is a box turtle

[@valeriebenson8770]

@@wasahug Water Color can completely close his shell. He is a box turtle. He and Water Color and I are a threesome because NOODLE was an empath I am concerned that she took on too much of my own pain. The little turtle was a healer according to Hieronymus the shaman lady who wrote the book White Spirit Animals . She said the 2 turtles were bonded to me and that they can't be separated. Water Color and NOODLE are in a video with Hieronymus at the Fortean conference . They were filmed with the author at the Electronics museum in Maryland. I am experiencing a tremendous sense of loss and Water Color keeps wanting to sleep in my bed on my pillow. I think that NOODLE and Water Color think that I am an odd looking human version of a turtle. I just have such a strong relationship with these two. They are a bit famous for appearing with the lady shaman author. I honestly don't know what to do. I had this bond with NOODLE and I couldn't save her.

[@jonmoore176]

I'm pretty sure in British English the definitions are different to American English. In Britain we never ever call tortoises turtles. Testudines is the latin term (or the Greek Chelonii) for the whole order and is derived from the Latin for tortoise (testudo). So your video only really applies to the US terminology.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Actually we are referencing science, not country preferences or personal preferences. So, yes, it applies to all. Thanks for watching.

[@sephikong7880]

Facts don't depend on where you're from. The science is still the same.

[@ravenousdae]

What site can i purchase an tortoise?

[@wasahug]

Before purchasing, PLEASE watch all Garden State Tortoise's videos on them then join a FB group for the type of Tortoise you are thinking of getting. ASK Questions, Be COMPLETELY Prepared with Everything that is Needed for its care. They are NOT Cheap & they are NOT simply a pet for a while. They are a LIFELONG FAMILY MEMBER. If taken proper care of, it WILL Out live you.

[@valeriebenson8770]

I have a turtle or tortoise that can't be identified. I tried to find out what species NOODLE is but no one knows. She is a female .I've had her 5 years. She lays eggs. Her bottom shell is TOTALLY BLACK. She makes me think of a Volkswagen .Its high and smooth. On her exterior shell she has yellow markings but she has orange scales on her legs.She has beautiful amber eyes. Can you tell me what is she? She is loving and sweet and gives me little kisses crawls up to the nape of my neck and cuddles. She is only 5 inches big. She will crawl up to me and sit next to me and stare adoringly at me. She knows her name and will come when I call her. Its amazing!

[@wasahug]

I would LOVE to see pics of her!!! She sounds Amazing! Reminds me of 1 of my early painted turtles. (The personality not species)

[@valeriebenson8770]

@@wasahug I had contacted the Smithsonian and they couldn't identify her. Many people don't know that turtles and tortoises can have unique amazing personalities and can be quite affectionate. In Noodle's case she is a bit of a comedian . She also is an empath. She picks up on my emotions my health and seems to try and console me. She will hug me when I am not feeling well. Its like she knows. Very unusual behavior.

[@wasahug]

Is she able to close her shell at all?

[@valeriebenson8770]

@@wasahug yes. Unfortunately my sweet little NOODLE died Friday in childbirth. She had laid one egg June 4th and couldn't push out the other legs .She must have had alot of eggs. She for a little turtle was very heavy. I had an absolute panic attack. I took her to a rept vet who refused to see her unless I paid 500 upfront . I am a senior citizen on a very restricted income. I didn't have 500. I went online and there was a video on egg bound turtles. In the video they talked about oxytocin which also used to induce labor in people. The medicine was only 6 dollars but it was too late my little Princess NOODLE tried to crawl up to my face flailing her little arms trying to hug me she screamed a little scream like asking me to help her and died as I held her over my heart. I cried I wept and begged her not to leave me.

[@wasahug]

OMG I am So Very SORRY. :'( My heart aches for You & the loss of your sweet Noodle.

[@JETATOWN]

Some of these are actually Terrapins

[@GardenStateTortoise]

That’s only seen as such in particular countries and actually does not correspond with science. What’s stated in this video is strictly scientific, it’s not an opinion.

[@sephikong7880]

Terrapins are still turtles.

[@MikstyOnYt]

all turtles act the same

[@figg9417]

Terrapins don't exist and hermann's tortoise is inherently a bad name, no name should be a possessive

[@valeriebenson8770]

No one has ever seen a black turtle. I show people my NOODLE and they can't believe she's black. I do have photos.

[@greyecologyst4694]

🤦‍♂️ TESTUDINES! Not turtles 😡 come on man. Sorry i mean no disrespect. This just bugs me.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

Since you clearly need things defined for you: Testudines- an order of reptiles which comprises the turtles, terrapins, and tortoises. They are distinguished by having a shell of bony plates covered with horny scales, and many kinds are aquatic. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@greyecologyst4694]

Yes. All tortoises are testudines, not turtles.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

@@greyecologyst4694 Turtles are an ORDER of reptiles known as Testudines, so yes, all tortoises are turtles. Some additional reading: www.britannica.com/story/whats-the-difference-between-a-turtle-and-a-tortoise

[@greyecologyst4694]

@@GardenStateTortoise thats like saying humans are fish. Humans are tetrapods and tetrapods are derived from lobed finned fish but that doesn't make us fish it makes us Euteleostomes (I probably butchered the pluralization there). I mean i gues you could say that we're both right. Taxonomically tortoises are not turtles but in the context of the English language tortoises are turtles. I mean you know as well as i that some languages don't even differentiate the two.

[@GardenStateTortoise]

@@greyecologyst4694 I do see where you’re coming from but it doesn’t fully apply here and it’s far from saying humans are fish. More like how humans are also primates. It is what it is, we can simply agree to disagree.