Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Being new to this forum I'm a bit ignorant on how much this has been asked, but for some reason I don't think I"m the first

Why are box turtles classified as turtles and not tortoises? Has their been any DNA evidence that may see a reclassification in the future? Or perhaps it solidifies the present classification.

Are there any other exceptions to the general turtle; semi-aquatic vs tortoise adept for land proposal? I know wood turtles are often terrestrial, but they are still the classic terrapin shape and still have webbed feet (I'm pretty sure anyways...)

Ian

I read an article in Reptiles Magazine once that was written by Dr. Margaret A. Wissman who is one of the regular writers for several of the Fancy Publications.. I can't remember what issue it was in, it was 1=2 years ago when I read this...
She said that taxonomists are considering placing box turtles into the tortoise catagory but if & when that happens would be anybody's guess.
Why aren't they already classified as torts? Good question, I can't answer it lol.
My box turtles behave a whole lot more like my tortoise than my aquatic turtles do. When it comes to water they bathe the same way the tortoise does, in shallow water for a little while, they drink the water then they want the heck out of it!
I'll see if I can dig up that article find out if she had an explanation for why they may be reclassified.
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PHRatz

>>I read an article in Reptiles Magazine once that was written by Dr. Margaret A. Wissman who is one of the regular writers for several of the Fancy Publications..

Ok I found the article I was thinking of in a 2004 issue but I'm wrong about what she said. All she said is that some people already do classify them as a tortoise.
I know I read something about taxonomy possibly changing but I can't remember where I read that.
If I find it.. lol
Otherwise until it's officially changed they're turtles.
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PHRatz

Box Turtles are not strictly vegetarian, therefore, they are still considered turtles. Tortoises only are vegetarians.

>>Box Turtles are not strictly vegetarian, therefore, they are still considered turtles. Tortoises only are vegetarians.

But not all species of tortoise are strictly vegetarian.. so then what?
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PHRatz

Some species of tortoises are omnivours, such as redfooted and Burmese mountain tortoises, and need some animal protein in the diet.

Take a look at the hind feet of a tortoise, box turtle, and aquatic turtle. Tortoises have hind feet like an elephant, and no webbing at all. Even box turtles have some very slight webbing to the feet. Also, box turtles CAN swim, some of them swim quite well. They don't swim like aquatic turtles, such as sliders, and they have trouble with anything other than gentle slopes in and out of the water, but they do swim.

Katrina

Living on land does not key a chelonian out to being a turtle or tortoise, it is only a general guideline. I believe one of the key features of tortoise are their elephantine hind feet. Box turtles have been shown to be closely related to wood, spotted, blandings, and bog turtles. The two species we keep in the US, Terrapene ornata and Terrapene carolina, are both primarily terrestrial. There is a species of box turtle from mexico, Terrapene Cohuila, that is an aquatic turtle. Gulf Coast box turtles can be pretty aquatic, too. There are several other species of land turtles in central and south america, and in asia.