There is so little difference between turtles and tortoises that they could easily all have the same name. Generally, those living along ocean beaches or close to other water are called turtles, and those that live in deserts or on land elsewhere are known as tortoises. Neither species have teeth, but they effectively use the horny edges of their jaws as good teeth substitutes.
The females dig nests in sand or soft earth with their hind feet where they lay a few or up to 100 eggs or more. Some sea turtles lay at least 200 eggs. The eggs are carefully covered and left to incubate in the warmth of the sun. When the babies hatch, they dig their way out of the nest and are “on their own,” for a turtle never knows its parents. Those that survive such enemies as snakes, large birds, skunks, raccoons or other animals may live for 50 years or longer. The common box turtle, a native of North America, sometimes lives more than 100 years.
One called the wood turtle should perhaps be called a tortoise, for it wanders far into forest lands during summer but hibernates in mud under water in winter. This is one of the larger turtles and has a large olive-green shell with spider web patterns all over it.
Another, known as the spotted turtle, prefers wet areas in searching for food and making its home. It got its name from the bright yellow spots all over its coal-black shell.
One from Mexico, protected from hunting by the government, is the Bolson tortoise. It weighs up to 30 pounds and has an unusually heavy, wrinkly looking, yellow shell and armor-like plates on its forelegs. It digs a 20-foot-long burrow with the spade-like feet and sharp claws of its front legs, working right through hard soil without difficulty. The long burrow is a good retreat from both the heat and cold of Mexico’s climate. Living in waterless surroundings, it never needs a drink, for the Creator has arranged for it to get all the moisture it needs from the vegetation it eats.
The more we study God’s creation, the more our attention is drawn to the great variety in His handiwork. Different species of bees, ants, bears, deer, turtles and many others tell us of His pleasure in creating them -alike, but different! Let us always remember that no creature ever appeared by chance - all were created in the Lord God’s infinite wisdom and for His pleasure. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:1111Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)).
OCTOBER 11, 1998
ML-10/11/1998