Skip to main content

Turtles vs. tortoises: Which pet is right for you?

You probably wouldn’t actually be able to recognize a turtle from a tortoise in the wild, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be exactly the same as pets. Each of these animals has their own unique needs when it comes to feeding, habitats, and behaviors. We bet you’ll find some pretty big dissimilarities in their personalities, too. While the overall difference between a turtle and a tortoise might not seem significant, here are some key features you should think about when deciding which one to bring home.

Turtle being held up by a human
Bethany Wallace/Pixabay.com

Turtles need a lot more water

It’s the most obvious difference between these two and the one you probably knew. Aquatic turtles spend almost their entire lives in water and will need a habitat that allows them to swim and bask throughout the day. Even terrestrial turtles need to have about half of their home dedicated to a swimming hole.

Related Videos

Tortoises, on the other hand, mostly use water for drinking and the occasional soak. Still, a pet tortoise should have a bath in water once a week or so, and of course will need access to water for drinking. If you aren’t looking forward to cleaning a turtle’s dirty water, a tortoise might be for you.

Tortoises are easier to feed

Stock up on leafy greens no matter which animal you choose to bring home. Both of these reptiles eat plants, and you’ll need to feed them lots of vitamin-rich leaves like dandelion, lettuce, or kale. While turtles really eat these only as supplements, they are the staple of your tortoise’s diet. Most don’t eat anything else and so will consistently need greens in the feeding area.

Turtles will absolutely eat their veggies, but their preferred food is higher in protein. They’ll need fish, insects, and worms to get enough nutrients. Many turtles enjoy eating live prey, and if you’re a bit squeamish, selecting a tortoise instead will remove this slightly unappetizing aspect of pet care.

Tortoise walks outside in the grass
maka magnolia/Pixabay.com

Tortoises get bigger

Both turtles and tortoises might start out small, but they rarely stay that way. Don’t be fooled by the cute and little animal you see at the pet store. Tortoises in particular can reach over 2 feet in length and will need a large housing. If you want something smaller, a few turtles stay well under a foot, but they still need a 50-gallon tank to live in. If you adopt a baby, make sure you have an area big enough for when he grows up, even if you use a starter habitat at first.

Tortoises may be more affectionate

It’s easy to tell when your turtle or tortoise feels scared as both animals will shrink into their shell or find another way to hide. This proves heavily advantageous in the wild when they’re attacked by a predator, but they may do this around humans at first, too. It takes time for any pet reptile to warm up to their owners, and these animals are no different. However, once your pet gets to know you, you’ll find him to be engaged and affectionate. 

Some owners think their tortoises enjoy more interactions, as turtles can seek out solitude. If you see your pet extend his neck, try stroking him and see how he responds. This will indicate to you if he enjoys the attention or just wants to be left alone.

Both require a lifetime commitment

Tortoises can live 100 years, so you may have to think about putting him in your will. Turtles also can live a good life — about 50 years. Either way, it’s a long time, and both of these reptiles need to be carefully planned for before being brought home. Make sure you have somewhere for your turtle or tortoise to go no matter what happens.

Because the turtle does not live as long, he might be your best bet if you’re concerned about who will take him in should he outlive you. Regardless of which animal you’re looking to get, think about adopting an adult animal who is being rehomed, which will cut down on the commitment and help out a family and pet in need.

When it comes to making a decision for your family, you have much to consider in the turtle-versus-tortoise debate. Every pet requires careful thought, and these animals need an especially long commitment. There’s no single right answer, and you’ll have to ask around and do the research to determine which will suit your family best.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
What do painted turtles eat? This is the only feeding guide you’ll need
Find out what to feed them and what not to feed them
Painted turtle eats a mealworm

You bring home a little turtle to a beautiful habitat and realize you forgot one big thing: What do baby painted turtles eat? Because these turtles are an aquatic species, they spend most of their time in the water — both in the wild and in your house. This greatly impacts their diet, especially because as they consume meals, they must swallow under the surface.

Painted turtles are also omnivores and like a wide variety of foods. While many of these can be placed in their housing, you should also have a separate feeding tank, which will massively cut down on the mess. All food from the main tank will have to be scooped out daily; otherwise, it rots. Nevertheless, feeding your turtle can be fun, and occasionally they can even eat what you do.

Read more
A simple guide to what to feed tadpoles in your aquarium
A list of everything you should and shouldn't give baby frogs
Small child looks into a jar of tadpoles

Whether you’re taking in rescue tadpoles or planning to keep frogs as pets, you’ll have to adapt continually to their changing bodies. These amphibians undergo a metamorphosis and live as tadpoles for up to 14 weeks, though the last stage of the transition happens in just 24 hours. You’ll put them to bed as a kid and come back to a teenager. Tadpoles are vegetarians, but frogs are carnivorous, so you should prepare for their diet to evolve as they do over the course of a few months.

How to care for tadpoles
Right off the bat, you need to make a couple of big decisions. Are you rescuing and releasing? Will your tadpoles live outdoors in a pond? Or do you intend to keep your animals when they become frogs?

Read more
Can you take your bearded dragon on a walk? We tried so you don’t have to
Bearded dragon on a leash with a harness

Everyone understands that Fido needs to be walked, typically multiple times per day. But many other animals enjoy an excursion to the great outdoors too — we've all seen cute pics of cats, bunnies, and even ferrets rocking a leash. Want to give it a try with your lizard? It is possible to walk a bearded dragon, and both of you can enjoy the experience, provided you don't have dog-level expectations. It might take a little extra preparation, but with the right equipment, you can take a trip out to explore the wide world together. 

Do beardies like to go on walks?
Well, define walks. You won't be able to take your reptile out and do laps with him around the neighborhood. Make sure you only intend to go for a tiny outing and that you start really small. Truth be told, he'll probably just look around a little bit and then decide to go back inside where it's temperature and humidity-controlled and there's unlimited free food. But you may find that he looks forward to these short jaunts into his natural habitat. If that winds up being the case, you should continue them even though it's not the same as a "real" romp.
What type of harness does my bearded dragon need?
Especially at first, you'll need some way to secure your animal, and that's where the harness comes in. Just as you'd put your dog or cat on a leash attached to a collar, so too you need something to maintain control and keep track of your reptile. Don't go outside without something to keep him close by since it only takes seconds to lose track of your pet, who can get away quickly and go under or over things you can't. Some of these contraptions come in different sizes, and you can try a few out and see what works best for the both of you. Choose one specifically for this species, though — do not repurpose a mammal harness or try to make your own if he hasn't tried it out yet. You need him to stay secure for the entirety of your expedition.
How do I know if my beardie is comfortable?
You certainly want to ensure that the harness fits and that you aren't dragging him around, much as you would with any other pet. On top of that, though, check the temp outside before scheduling your journey. It needs to be extremely warm for him to do well outdoors. As in, well into the 80s preferably with a gentle sun beating down. Don't go out in the rain or cold as that does not match his natural habitat, which is often the desert and other warm climates. However, he also needs the opportunity for a cooldown at a moment's notice. Stay within reach of some shade as that will allow him to escape there as needed. Along these lines, keep the walks short to start, maybe five or 10 minutes until you adjust to his preference. 

Read more