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!

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 YouTube 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

[quixhiya]

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.

[NYandAZ]

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

[lauraloverso]

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

[loriw]

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!!

[hermanidangraeca]

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.

[tamarrajames]

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.🖤🇨🇦

[ithilweenshadowsong]

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

[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.

[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.

[soaringhawkjaylorihaack]

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

[jenniferbuckle]

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?

[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".

[vixenligon]

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

[sharondickinson]

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 😆

[marsfeathers]

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

[azariacba]

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

[sunnyd]

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