Tortoises (Testudinidae)

Name: Tortoises (Testudinidae)

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia

Observation:  A friend of has this as a pet.  I actually never even thought of the difference between this versus the turtle although the tortoise is in the family of turtle. I observed that the skin and shell of the tortoise appeared to be rougher than that of the turtle.  I learned that the tortoises shell actually serves as a shield to protect it from predator (wikipedia.org, 2011).  They are generally reclusive animals (wikipedia.org, 2011).  I've always been fascinated of the slowness and calm demeanor of the tortoise and turtle which makes me one wonder do they get upset?

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tortoise