Content
- Differences in longevity
- Adaptation of the paws to the environment
- the character of the turtles
- differences in carapace
Do you want to know the differences between water and land turtles? In this article by PeritoAnimal we focus on the details of the evolution that these fantastic reptiles had over time.
In the Triassic, 260 million years ago, the ancestor of the tortoise, the Captorhinus, it was the first reptile to possess a carapace that covered its thorax, organs, and in addition, covered its ribs. This made it possible for some animals, such as the turtle, to develop a bone shell.
Read on to learn all about turtles!
Differences in longevity
There is a big difference between the ages that a turtle can live depending on your species. Land turtles, for example, are the ones with the longest lifespan, reaching more than 100 years. In fact, the longest-lived turtle in history was an irradiated turtle (Astrochelys radiata) that reached the age of 188 years.
On the other hand, water turtles usually live between 15 to 20 years. Another case is the freshwater turtles, which can live up to 30 years if they receive good care.
Adaptation of the paws to the environment
Turtle paws are one of the most important elements when determining whether you are facing a water turtle than a land turtle.
Bearing in mind that sea turtles remain constantly in the water, it is logical that their legs are formed by a species of membrane that allows them nothinga. These membranes, called interdigital membranes, because they are located between the toes of the paws, are easy to detect with the naked eye.
In the case of land turtles do not have these membranes, their feet tube-shaped and your fingers are more developed.
Another interesting difference is that sea turtles have long, pointed nails, while land turtles are shorter and are stunted.
the character of the turtles
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 tend to have a very calm character despite their interaction if they are in captivity being very little.
However, the temperament of terrestrial turtles is stronger, because living in freedom and having to protect their offspring is what makes them more irascible and always on the defensive.
An example of extreme aggression can be seen in the alligator turtle, a turtle that adapts wonderfully to living on land and in water.
differences in carapace
In the case of the carapace, the most important difference is that while the water turtle has a carapace smooth and very smooth that helps it to move through the water, the land turtle has a carapace wrinkled and with a very irregular shape. This last type of carapace is very characteristic, for example, of the African spurred turtle.
