Lonesome George was not a turtle

It's been a month already since the demise of the most well-known animal in Ecuador ( it died on June 24th this year). The last of his kind (hence the name), George was always a symbol of what mankind is doing to the other living beings of the world. They are either hunted down, kept as pets, or their habitats are being tresspassed, altered or simply destroyed beyond repair. George could have reproduced but science still has not evolved enough to make that possible. Thus, he died peacefully and his place is now an empty lot that no other animal can fill. Literally.  
And he was not a turtle, but a tortoise. While in Spanish that distinction is not made (we only call them TORTUGAS); in English chelonians are all called "Turtles" but if they dwell in land and they have elephant-like feet, they are Tortoises. If they live mainly in the sea and they have flippers instead of legs then they are Turtles.  So George was a tortoise not a turtle.                                                  

Comments

Luis Tapia said…
Thank you for the information teacher, i did know this term existed:tortoise, but i didn't know when to use it.
August 1, 2012 at 7:00 PM
Melvin Silva said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
August 2, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Melvin Silva said…
It is regrettable the death of George, a single species on the planet and my country Ecuador. The most important thing in science is the study of cellular genetic Gorge, is a great loss to the Galapagos Islands, but no longer the unique heritage of the world. Feel sorry for the loss of being a great friend, not only for the scientific field but for the people of Ecuador, for without doubt by tourists the islands are a major contribution to Ecuador is recognized worldwide. We have lost a symbol of Ecuadorian Biodiversity
August 2, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Racionalista said…
It was a very bad new not only of Galapagos and scientific world, due its important value as an unique specie which is product of evolutionary processes and was not found at any other parts of the world,but for all us to show our egocentric attitude toward animals and I think the lack of technology to reproduce is due the lack of interest because if exist at a lot of money between bigger companies and millionaires and also government, why they didnt spend those money on him to avoid what happened?

I already heard those names but I never up now understood the difference between turtle and tortoise
August 7, 2012 at 8:51 AM
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