Tortoise or Turtle

[Jim Nasium]

Just been watching "Heros" here in the UK, we may be a bit behind you guys Stateside.
Matt Parkman, I think that is the characters name, was seen arriving from Africa carrying a small cage with what we know here as a Tortoise, the 3 reptiles on the grass above are Tortoises as we know them, the reptile swimming is a Turtle. How do you guys differentiate them?

In the old Eddie Cochran song " Cut Across Shorty" the lyric refers to, 'that old story about the Turtle and the Hare' we know it as 'the Tortoise and the Hare'

The Tortoise and The Hare

There once was a speedy hare who bragged about how fast he could run. Tired of hearing him boast, Slow and Steady, the tortoise, challenged him to a race. All the animals in the forest gathered to watch.

Hare ran down the road for a while and then and paused to rest. He looked back at Slow and Steady and cried out, "How do you expect to win this race when you are walking along at your slow, slow pace?"

Hare stretched himself out alongside the road and fell asleep, thinking, "There is plenty of time to relax."

Slow and Steady walked and walked. He never, ever stopped until he came to the finish line.

The animals who were watching cheered so loudly for Tortoise, they woke up Hare.

Hare stretched and yawned and began to run again, but it was too late. Tortoise was over the line.

After that, Hare always reminded himself, "Don't brag about your lightning pace, for Slow and Steady won the race!"

Courstesy of Aesop.

[Jim Nasium]

Hey Jim! what a confusing post, what are you trying to say. You're right it is confusing, I don't understand it either

I think what Jim meant to say was that Matt Parkman kept referring to the "Tortoise" as a Turtle, hence the confusion for our Brit buddies who know it as a Tortoise.

Am I right, Jim?

Got it in one, pal, got it in one.

[Patti]

Okay, so you're playing the race card.

[Jesse Joe]

Tortoise or Turtle

One thing for sure those ugly things can live to be 100 years old. When man's best friend {Doggy} is lucky, if he sees 15 years of age.

[Patti]

My best friend would eat them.

[Jesse Joe]

I hope your best friend is a dog !

These are the only turtles I would eat.

[Jesse Joe]

[Patti]

Nice pictures.
When we lived by the water, I saw my dog with a turtle a couple of times, eating them shells and all. She looked so happy and, yum, those turtles looked so juicy and tasty!