Tortoises and Turtles

Question

Kathy Hufford

Do you know the difference between a tortoise and a turtle? Both tortoises and turtles are reptiles that have a shell covering to protect their bodies. People in the U.S. commonly refer to any animal fitting this description as a turtle, but there are several differences between tortoises and turtles.

Tortoises live on land. They are found in Africa, Asia and the Americas. They have heavy, dome-shaped shells that protect them from predators. The tortoise has shorter legs than the turtle and its legs are bent for walking over land. The tortoise is a vegetarian. Its diet consists of fruits and vegetables.

Turtles live in the water. They are found in Africa and America. Unlike tortoises, turtles have flat shells that are lighter in weight. This shell makes it easier for them to swim. They have long, straight legs with webbed feet. Some turtles even have flippers. Turtles are omnivores, which means they eat fruits, vegetables and insects.

Both tortoises and turtles lay eggs on land. Baby tortoises and turtles are called hatchlings. The average lifespan of tortoises and turtles is similar to the lifespan of humans. While they average around 60 years, some tortoises have been confirmed to live over 100 years. Natural predators as well as human interference can endanger the lifespan of both tortoises and turtles.

Although both tortoises and turtles can be kept as pets, they are not considered to be social animals. It is not a good idea to capture a tortoise or turtle from the wild to keep as a pet. In fact, it is illegal in some states to capture and keep a wild tortoise or turtle. These laws are in place to protect the population of wildlife. If you really want to keep a tortoise or a turtle as a pet, you should go to a well-known pet seller to find one.
Question
An author repeats words to call attention to the main idea. Looking closely at words that repeat in this passage, the main idea is more than likely about
Responses
A turtles.turtles.
B reptiles.reptiles.
C tortoises.tortoises.
D tortoises and turtles.

Answer 1

The main idea of the passage is more than likely about D) tortoises and turtles. The passage discusses both tortoises and turtles, comparing their differences, habitats, diets, and other characteristics.