Turtles and tortoises are both reptiles of the order Testudines. However there are several distinct differences between these two groups of animals.
For starters turtles live both in water and on land while tortoises are strictly terrestrial creatures. This is reflected in their different body shapes and sizes – turtles have streamlined bodies and flippers that enable them to swim powerfully through the water while tortoises have stout elephant-like legs that are well-suited for walking on land but make them clumsy and slow in water.
Turtles also have different diets from tortoises. While both groups are mostly herbivorous turtles are more likely to eat aquatic plants and animals such as fish crabs and other invertebrates. Tortoises on the other hand tend to eat more land-based plants such as grasses leaves and fruits.
Lastly turtles and tortoises differ in their life spans and reproductive strategies. Tortoises can live for up to 150 years while turtles typically only live for 30-40 years. Additionally tortoises lay their eggs on land while turtles lay their eggs in the water.
So in summary the main differences between turtles and tortoises are their habitats diets and life spans.
What is the main difference between a turtle and a tortoise?
The main difference between a turtle and a tortoise is that a turtle spends a lot of time in the water while a tortoise spends most of its time on land.
How can you tell a turtle apart from a tortoise?
One way to tell a turtle apart from a tortoise is by its shell.
A turtle’s shell is mostly smooth while a tortoise’s shell is more bumpy.
Do all turtles live in water?
No not all turtles live in water.
Some turtles like the box turtle live on land.
Do all tortoises live on land?
Yes all tortoises live on land.
How do turtles breathe?
Turtles breathe through their lungs like we do.
They also have special glands in their shell that help them absorb oxygen from the water.
How do tortoises breathe?
Tortoises also breathe through their lungs.
However because they spend most of their time on land they don’t have the special glands in their shell that turtles do.
What do turtles eat?
Turtles are mostly carnivorous and eat things like fish insects and other small animals.
What do tortoises eat?
Tortoises are mostly herbivorous and eat things like plants fruits and vegetables.
Where do turtles live?
Turtles live all over the world in both fresh and salt water environments.
Where do tortoises live?
Tortoises live all over the world on land.
How long do turtles live?
Turtles can live a long time up to 150 years in some cases!
How long do tortoises live?
Tortoises also live a long time up to 150 years in some cases.
What is the biggest turtle in the world?
The biggest turtle in the world is the leatherback turtle.
It can weigh up to 2000 pounds!
What is the biggest tortoise in the world?
The biggest tortoise in the world is the Galapagos tortoise.
It can weigh up to 550 pounds.
What is the smallest turtle in the world?
The smallest turtle in the world is the speckled padloper tortoise.
It only grows to be about 4 inches long.
