All children growing up, will have some memory that has a cartoon of a tortoise or turtle in it. From Aesop’s Fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare,” to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, there are some for all generations. They are known worldwide and loved by most for their usual gentle and slow habits. Very seldom would you find one of them playing a villain in any story.
Guests are often surprised to come across a tortoise or terrapin on an African safari, but they are most certainly found here. As guides, we often shock guests when we tell them that there is an actual difference between turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. In this blog, we will have this explanation, along with squashing some other misleading facts about this family of shelled reptiles.
Tortoise, turtle, or terrapin?
Many of our international guests who travel are often taught, even at school, that calling a tortoise or a terrapin a turtle is correct. This is not the case at all.
Although all three have shells built into their skeletons, they are used for protection and shelter from predators and certain elements. All three of the species lay eggs. The three all lack teeth and rather use sharp, horny ridges that cover the jawline to slice up food. Rather than delving into very scientific reasons, we will just look at the easy and quick ways to tell the difference in the field.
Tortoise
Tortoises are the most commonly seen on an African safari, with many species being found throughout the continent. The most common of all these species is the leopard tortoise. This species is also part of the “Small Five.”
Although tortoises are capable of swimming, they spend all of their time on land. This is where they can find their diet of vegetation. They are adapted to feed on many different types of vegetation, from grazing on short grasses to bulbs and tubers. Tortoises have small, clumped, clawed feet. This is perfect, as they often cross rough terrain, all of it very slowly.
When a tortoise feels threatened, they pull their heads straight backwards into the shell. This is done with a vertical flexure of the neck. They then tuck their front legs in, protecting the sensitive neck and head area.
Turtle
Turtles are found in the ocean. Unfortunately, we do not see a lot of these on safari, but this is not to say they are not found along the African coastline. Large coral reefs and beautiful beaches for nesting sites attract large numbers of sea turtles here. It is most definitely possible to spend a few nights in certain areas, especially around Mozambique, to snorkel with turtles. If you are very lucky, you may watch a female haul herself out of the ocean to lay eggs on a secluded beach.
Turtles have powerful flippers that they use for swimming. They can swim a lot faster than their land-based cousins are capable of walking. They can also not pull their heads into their shells, so speed is their defense. They feed mainly on coral, jellyfish, crabs, and sea vegetation.
Terrapins
Terrapins are the ones that are most often confused with turtles. Terrapins are fresh water. They have adapted to live in our rivers, dams, marshes, and so on. There are many different types of them, in many shapes and sizes.
Terrapins have little clawed web feet, and they are quick in the water but can move swiftly on land as well. When water levels drop, they are capable of going dormant in mud until water returns in the rainy season. Terrapins generally pull their heads into their shells by horizontal bending (to the side), although some species can pull their heads straight back.
They are far more carnivorous in their feeding habits as well. They feed mainly on aquatic life, like fish and water insects. In some areas, though, they have been known to team up, pulling bathing birds into the water. They will also pick ticks off of large herbivores like buffalo and rhinos when they come and wallow.
The shell itself
The shell of a tortoise, terrapin, or turtle varies from species to species. All are used for some sort of defense. They cannot change their shells, and the shell grows with the animal. The shell itself is made up of an inner bony layer and an outer layer of horny plates. The upper, rounded part of the shell is called the carapace, and the bottom, flat part is the plastron.
If you look at the rings on the plates of the shell, you can get a rough idea of the age of a tortoise. Much like a tree and counting the rings, although it is not completely accurate. What the rings can tell you, though, is how good a season the animal had. A good season, with plentiful food and water, will create a thicker ring, whereas a poor season will create a thin ring. This is because of the growth of the individual in that season.
People are often under the impression that all members of the family live to be over a century old, but this is not the case. The large land tortoises from Galapagos Island may do this. The general rule is that the smaller the species, the shorter the lifespan. Something like our leopard tortoise, for example, generally makes it to about 40 years of age.
Male or female?
It can be difficult to distinguish between sexes at first glance, but there are a few ways to see each species. More often than not, a female of the species will be larger than the male. Males of the Speke’s hinged tortoise have grown extra bits to the front of the plastron. This allows them to try and flip an opponent in combat while competing for a female.
The easiest way to see them, though, is to flip them over and have a look at the bottom of the plastron. As one could imagine, with the odd shaped shell, breeding can be quite a difficult act. To help with this, the males have a concave plastron, which allows them to sit flush to a female’s shell and not roll off. Females, on the other hand, have a larger opening at the bottom of the plastron, where the tail is found. The hole is more rounded in shape and is there for the laying of eggs.
Conclusion
A very misunderstood family of reptiles, tortoises, terrapins, and turtles is incredibly unique. There aren’t too many creatures out there like them, although some animals have replicated a shell for protection. If you see them on safari, slow down, observe, and take the time to watch them and their interesting habits.
