Reading Comprehension - Turtles vs. Tortoise

Reading Comprehension

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What is the difference between Turtles and Tortoises?

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6FT8x0ha_s

​Not all turtles are tortoises BUT all tortoises are turtles!

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​Have a look at the picture - this is a basic summary of the differences between turtles and tortoises.

Shells

Tortoises have more rounded and domed shells.

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Turtles have thinner, more water-dynamic shells, meaning they are more streamlined to aid in swimming.

Limbs (Legs)

Tortoises have club-like forelegs and 'elephantine' hind legs, meaning their back legs look like an elephant's.

Because tortoises are usually larger and heavier, their big hind legs help them move around and carry their heavy shells and big bodies.

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Turtles, on the other hand, have webbed or flipper-like legs to make it easier to move through water.

Habitat

Tortoises spend most of their time on land (terrestrial) and turtles are adapted for life spent in water (amphibious aquatic or fully acquatic).

Diet

Tortoises are herbivores, meaning they have a diet of fresh vegetables, fruits and grasses.

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​Turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat fish, invertebrates (like snails and squid), insects, worms AND vegetables, like algae, seagrasses and seaweed.

Multiple Choice

What does streamlined mean?

• being very thin.

• doesn't resist the flow of air or water

• water-like.

Multiple Choice

Which one has a thicker and rounded shell?

• turtle

• tortoise

Multiple Choice

What is another word for "on land"?

• streamlined

• aquatic

• terrestrial

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE

Tortoises have webbed or flipper-like legs to make it easier to move through water.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

What does diet mean?

• The kinds of place something lives in.

• The kinds of food something eats.

• What something looks like.

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE

Turtles are omnivores (they eat both vegetables and meat) and tortoises are herbivores (they eat only vegetables).

• True

• False

​What is your favourite animal?

​Take a few minutes to think about your favourite animal. Do some research if you need to.

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​What does it look like?

​Where does it live (habitat)?

​What does it eat (diet)?

​What interesting fact do you know about it?

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​Here is an example.

​My favourite animal is a tiger. It is a large, striped cat that is orange and black. It lives in jungles. It is a carnivore, it eats mostly meat. Tigers are one of the few cats that like to swim in water.

Open Ended

What is your favourite animal?

Open Ended

What does it look like?

Open Ended

Where does it live (habitat)?

Open Ended

What does it eat (diet)?

Open Ended

What interesting fact do you know about it?