Not all turtles can swim , said Florida wildlife officials this week after concerned beachgoers tried to throw baby tortoises in the ocean . The reptiles are not native to Florida, but they have been introduced there by humans and their offspring — which means that some of them could be carrying diseases or parasites from other animals on the island. Tortoises have toes with claws on each toe but sea turtles have flippers with just one or two claws on each fore flipper .
Not all turtles can swim , said Florida wildlife officials this week after concerned beachgoers tried to throw baby tortoises in the ocean . There were at least three reports of people trying to release gopher tortoises in the ocean because they were mistaken for sea turtles . Tortoises have toes with claws on each toe but sea turtles have flippers with just one or two claws on each fore flipper .