Turtle or Tortoise

Today at the Desert Botanical Gardens I learned the difference between a turtle and a tortoise. To the left, you see a baby tortoise that was born in captivity. It has claws (instead of webbed feet), doesn't like the water (except to drink) and is brown.

After a brief explanation from the teacher we went on our nature hike to find a tortoise burrow.
I've circled it in purple in case you didn't see it. They burrow to keep cool in summer and warm in winter.
In the "backyard" of the preschool classroom, the teacher explains the temperature differences in burrows compared to in the sun. There are two tortoises that live in the backyard - Penny & Poppy.

The children tried to coax the tortoises to come out.

Near the compost pile, I was scared nearly to death by this lizzard. Can you see it? Click on the picture to enlarge it.

Last, but certainly not least, here are some bluming cacti. Pictures don't do justice. They are beautiful.

Above and below are prickly pear cactus. I don't know them well enough to tell you their specific names (hence the blume color differentiation). The natives use(d) the prickly pear's fruit for all sorts of edible things. My favorite is the candy.

I don't know what the pink one is - it sure is prickly.