Turtles & Tortoises

Turtles and tortoises are members of the reptilian order Testudines, characterized by their protective shell and unique adaptations for life on land and in water. While both turtles and tortoises share similarities, such as a bony shell and cold-blooded nature, there are key differences between the two. Turtles are generally aquatic or semi-aquatic, with webbed feet or flippers for swimming, while tortoises are exclusively land-dwelling, with sturdy legs and feet adapted for walking on land. Additionally, turtles typically have streamlined shells for swimming, while tortoises have more dome-shaped shells suited for protection against predators.

African Spurred Tortoise

Giant Aldabra Tortoise

Box Turtle

VULNERABLE

African Spurred Tortoise

Native to the arid regions of northern Africa, African Spurred Tortoises are known for their large size, distinctive spiky shell, and gentle demeanor. These herbivorous reptiles are the third-largest species of tortoise in the world, with adults reaching lengths of over 2 feet and weights exceeding 100 pounds. Despite their formidable appearance, African Spurred Tortoises are docile and peaceful animals, spending much of their time grazing on grasses and vegetation.

Habitat/Range:

They can be found in the southern part of the Sahara and east through Mali, Chad, the Sudan and Ethiopia to Eritrea. They prefer to live in dry desert areas

Behavior:

They spend their mornings basking in the sun to warm their core temperature after a cool night. During the dry season, they will hibernate in their moist burrows to prevent dehydration. Hatchlings will do the same.

You can tell the age of this tortoise by counting the rings on the scute of its shell!
These tortoises are the largest tortoises in Africa.
They get their name due to the overlapping scales and conical spurs on their legs.

Vulnerable. They are vulnerable due to habitat loss, over grazing of livestock, urbanization, and desertification. Juveniles are also captured for trade and because it takes them 15 years to reach maturity there is concern they will not be able to replenish their numbers in the wild. Listed on CITES Appendix II. They are not allowed to be captured and exported from the wild. In the United States, captive bred tortoises supply the domestic pet trade. They live in some protected areas. In Senegal, there is a breeding, information and protection center. Tortoises form the Netherlands have been sent back to Senegal.

VULNERABLE

Aldabra Giant Tortoise

Native to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, these tortoises are among the largest in the world, with some individuals reaching lengths of over 4 feet and weights exceeding 500 pounds. Known for their impressive size and longevity, Giant Aldabra Tortoises can live for well over a century in captivity. These herbivorous reptiles have a domed shell and powerful legs adapted for grazing on grasses and low-lying vegetation.

Range/Habitat:

Aldabra tortoises are native to the Aldabra Atoll of the Seychelles, an archipelago nation in the western Indian Ocean. They inhabit a variety of places including scrub forests, mangrove swamps, grassy plains, coastal dunes and beaches. They can mostly be found in areas with a variety of grasses. These tortoises have been introduced to Mauritius, Réunion, and other islands in the Seychelles.

Size:

Carapace length: Male – 4 feet, Female – 3 feet. Weight: 350-450lbs.

The wild lifespan of Aldabra tortoises is unknown. It is estimated that they can live anywhere from 100-150+ years. One zoo has reported their tortoise as being 176 years old.
Tortoises are able to create their own unique habitat called “tortoise turf.” This is due to heavy grazing and is characterized by areas filled with a variety of grasses and herbs. Tortoises clear pathways and the grasses serve as hiding spots for smaller animals. They also aid in seed dispersal.
There is a species of land hermit crab, Coenobita rugosus, which is dependent upon tortoise feces for food.

IUCN lists as a vulnerable species. These tortoises have dealt with threats in both the past and the present. Island tortoises were an important source of food to early sailors and many were hunted. They are presently faced with habitat loss and invasive predators. Of the three giant tortoises that are still alive in the area, they are the only ones still in the wild. Listed on CITES Appendix II. The Seychelles Island Foundation and the Seychelles National Parks and Conservancy Act are helping to protect and manage the remaining Aldabra tortoises. The island of Aldabra was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. There is a breeding program for these tortoises on Mauritius.

Box Turtle

Turtles are native to North America and are known for their unique and distinctive shells. Unlike other turtle species, Box Turtles have a hinged plastron (the bottom part of the shell) that allows them to completely close their shell for protection. This adaptation earned them their name because when they retreat into their shell, they resemble a closed box. Box Turtles are omnivores, feeding on a varied diet of insects, fruits, vegetables, and small animals.

Eastern box turtles typically grow to 10 centimeters by 15 centimeters (4 inches by 6 inches). They are a bit larger than other subspecies within their range. The largest box turtle is the Gulf Coast box turtle, which is found along the northern region of the Gulf of Mexico.

Box turtles generally live for 25-35 years but have been known to survive to over 100 years old!

Like other reptiles, box turtles must hibernate during cold winter weather. They burrow deep under the soil and leaves, sometime in October, and usually emerge in April or early May.
Eastern box turtles can retain water better than aquatic turtles. This allows them to cope with short dry spells.

Habitat destruction has led to a decline of eastern box turtles in their former range. Throughout the past century, the conversion of woodlands and wetlands into agricultural land has extirpated populations where they once existed.

The rising demand for the development of suburban areas further exacerbates the decline by fragmenting the populations that are left. Because they are so energetic on land, these animals are often killed by vehicles traveling on roads that cross through their remaining habitats.

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