Do Turtles & Tortoises Have Tails?
fact checked & review by
Dr. Partho Kumar Shaha
Veterinarian (DVM)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Those who are intrigued by turtles or tortoises typically have many questions about their anatomy since it is both interesting and amazing. The question of whether or not reptiles like turtles and tortoises have tails is a popular one. The shell is plainly visible. Finding a tail, on the other hand, is a very other matter.
Tortoises and turtles both possess tails. The tail serves important social and protective functions. Several species and sexes of turtles and tortoises have varying lengths of tails. Males have longer, thicker tails, while females utilize them to cover their vents and mate.
As with a shell, a turtle or tortoise’s tail is an essential appendage. Today, you will learn everything there is to know about the tails of these creatures.
You’ll get the lowdown on turtle and tortoise tails, including what they’re used for, and whether or not they vary by gender. What are we waiting for?
Why Do Turtles And Tortoises Have Tails?
For turtles and tortoises, the tail is an extremely important organ. Tortoises and turtles, unlike fish and certain other aquatic creatures, do not make use of their tails while swimming or navigating in the water.
They do not utilize their tails for ascending or navigating in the same way as animals that live on land do. Instead, the tail is responsible for several very important parts of the mating process.
Male turtles and tortoises are unable to breed and mate if they are missing their tails. In addition to that, they may use their tail to defend themselves.
Now that we know why turtles and tortoises utilize their tails for breeding and defense, let’s look at how they do it.
How Are The Tails Used For Mating In Turtles And Tortoises?
The reproductive organs of male turtles and tortoises are located in the tail of the animal. On the other hand, female turtles and tortoises lack the corresponding organs in their tails.
Mating involves the use of the tail by male turtles and tortoises. As the males reach adulthood, they experience a growth surge in the length of their tails.
At this time, a male turtle and tortoise’s tail will grow much longer, to the point where it may even reach past its flippers.
The male turtle’s and tortoise’s penises are situated near the bottom of the tail, which is also where the penis is found. The males are able to better grasp onto the female with the assistance of the tail.
The male turtle and tortoise will next use the end of its tail like a finger to find the cloaca on the female turtle and tortoise, after which it will open the cloaca in order to mate with the female.
When a male turtle or tortoise is trying to mate, its long and robust tail might function as a barrier to prevent other males from interfering with the process.
The majority of the time, female turtles and tortoises will have their tails lowered in order to hide their vents. It only happens during the act of mating that females would drag their tails up and sideways.
How Do Turtles And Tortoise Use Their Tails For Protection?
The protective qualities of a turtle’s and tortoise’s shells are immediately apparent. The shells that turtles and tortoises have help to distinguish them from other animals while also providing them with protection.
But, what most people don’t realize is that the tails actually serve a significant part in keeping them safe. In the wild, turtles and tortoises move through terrain that is often wet and slick.
The lengthy tail provides them with an advantage when it comes to maintaining their balance and acting as an anchor when traversing rocky and uneven terrain.
The female turtle’s and tortoise’s tail, in addition to providing a secure hold on the ground, also serves as a protective barrier for the vents of the animal. During the mating process, the vents function as an entryway to the vaginal cavity. Egg-laying female turtles and tortoises, use these openings as a passageway to expel their eggs through.
Alright! Now that you understand how a turtle and tortoise make use of its tail, let’s talk about whether or not the tail can recover after it has been harmed or cut off.
Can The Tails Of Turtles And Tortoises Grow Back?
It is possible for the tail of a turtle and tortoise to recover after being wounded or nipped, provided that the appropriate treatment is administered. Yet, just a portion of the tail will recover.
The wound on the tail will fade into something less apparent over time as the wound heals, but the tail would not regrow to its original length once it has been healed.
If you have a young turtle or a tortoise that is still in the process of growing its tail, then it will continue to do so as the reptile becomes bigger.
Does Every Turtle Have A Tail?
There is not a single turtle species without a tail. The tail of a snapping turtle is quite lengthy. Its tail may be even longer than its shell, and it is coated in bone plates all the way down its length.
The tails of male box turtles are longer and thicker than those of females. Their vent is situated away from the shell’s posterior rim compared to their female counterparts.
Female box turtles, on the other hand, have tails that are more slender and compact. In contrast to male turtles, their vent is situated closer to the shell.
Even marine turtles have rather lengthy tails. It is possible to tell a male sea turtle from a female sea turtle based on the tail after the turtles have reached the age of sexual maturity.
Are Turtles Capable Of Retracting Their Tails Within Shells?
There are certain species of turtles that are unable to pull their tails back inside their shells. The seven different types of sea turtles are unable to retract any portion of their bodies inside their shells, but freshwater turtles are able to pull their heads, limbs, and tails back into their shells.
Why Is The Tail Of Your Tortoise Turned To One Side?
As we look at our tortoises, there are many things that we haven’t seen before that cause us worry. One example of this would be the tail being off to the side.
It is not uncommon for tortoises to engage in peculiar habits like strolling with their tails tilted in one direction, yet this habit is completely typical of male tortoises.
There are tortoises that may spend years without exhibiting any evidence of this behavior, and older males are more likely to display it than younger ones.
Why Is The Tail Of Your Tortoise Tucked In?
A female tortoise will carry her tail in a manner that is distinct from that of a male tortoise. The tail of a male tortoise may be carried out to the side, whereas the tail of a female can be carried tucked within the shell.
During the mating season, tortoises are known to stroll with their tails folded beneath their bodies due to a habit of feeling exposed while they are moving about.
They do this in order to defend themselves against potential threats.
Are Tortoises Capable Of Drinking Via Their Tails?
Tortoises do not have a hole in their tail that allows them to drink. The misunderstandings are due to the fact that the cloaca, which is positioned close to the tail of the tortoise, is used by the tortoise to absorb water.
Many wrongly assume that a tortoise can drink via its tail because it can absorb moisture not just through its mouth but also through its cloaca. This is not true, and it is one of the most widespread misconceptions about maintaining tortoises.
Before You Go
The turtle’s and tortoise’s tail serves two important functions: reproduction and defense. The length of the tail is an indication of its gender. Long and thick tails are a distinguishing feature of males, whereas female tails are much shorter.
If a turtle or tortoise’s tail is severed, it will not grow back in its entirety. In any case, time heals the scar on the tail. We need to exercise caution in order to provide the best possible care for our pets. Therefore checkout- Do Turtles Have Nerves In Their Shells?
About Author
Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.