What’s the difference between a turtle and tortoise?

What is a Turtle?

Turtles are shelled reptiles with a unique body structure. They have a flattened shell made up of the carapace (upper part) and plastron (lower part), a beak-like mouth, and webbed feet for swimming. They are known for their long lifespan, scaly skin, and claws on their feet.

Physical Characteristics: Turtles vs. Tortoises

Characteristic	Turtles	Tortoises
Shell shape	Flattened	Dome-shaped
Habitat preference	Aquatic and terrestrial	Terrestrial
Dietary preference	Omnivorous	Herbivorous

Habitat and Behavior

Turtles live in lakes, rivers, and oceans, often basking in the sun. They are omnivores and can retract their head and limbs into their shell for protection. They are slow but active swimmers.

Types of Turtles

Type	Size	Habitat	Diet
Green Sea Turtle	Large	Tropical and subtropical waters	Seagrass, algae
Box Turtle	Small to medium	Forests and grasslands	Insects, fruits, vegetation

What is a Tortoise?

Tortoises are land-dwelling reptiles with a dome-shaped shell and sturdy legs adapted for walking on land. They are herbivorous and live in dry, arid habitats, often basking in the sun and moving slowly.

Types of Tortoises

Type	Size	Habitat
Galapagos Tortoise	Large	Galapagos Islands
Sulcata Tortoise	Medium	Sahara Desert

Key Differences Between Turtles and Tortoises

Shell Shape and Size

	Turtle	Tortoise
Shell Shape	Flatter and streamlined	Higher and dome-shaped
Shell Size	Smaller	Larger and more robust

Habitat Preferences

	Turtles	Tortoises
Habitat	Aquatic or semi-aquatic	Terrestrial
Environment	Water	Land

Dietary Preferences

	Turtles	Tortoises
Food	Plants and animals	Plants
Preferred Diet	Insects, fish, fruits, vegetables	Grasses, leaves, flowers, fruits

Conclusion

While turtles are adapted for aquatic life with webbed feet and flattened shells, tortoises are specialized for land with dome-shaped shells and sturdy legs. Both are fascinating reptiles with unique adaptations. Support ocean conservation and explore our exquisite collection of turtle, shark, and whale bracelets at Save Our Blue Ocean | Ocean Gift Malaysia.