Introduction
Turtle and tortoise both belong to the reptile category. That is they are ranked between the amphibians and birds. The reptiles again are divided into four main groups namely turtles, crocodilians, lizards, and snakes.
Turtle and tortoise are different from other reptiles as their bodies are surrounded by boney shells having horny shields. they all lay eggs and live near freshwater or land.
- The basic difference between turtle and tortoise is the type of habitat they are living in. Besides that, they are almost the same with different names.
- A turtle is a sea reptile whereas a tortoise is a land reptile.
- Both the animals have shells with horny plates above-called carapaces and soft skin below known as plastron. the shell is known as the “Bony box”.
- Both have lungs to breathe air.
Whereas both are the same they have similarities in may ways females of turtles and tortoise are generally larger in size and lay eggs during the night time and always lays the egg on the ground. Both have shells and are ectotherm animals that are cold-blooded animals which means the internal temperature varies as per the surrounding environments. both hibernate during the winter season.
Difference between Turtle and Tortoise
Differences |
Turtle |
Tortoise |
| Classification | Class: Reptilla Clade: Testudinata Order: Testudines | Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Testudinidae |
| Habitat | Partly aquatic | Land dwindling |
| Bodyweight | Light | Heavy |
| Size | Small | Big (a few centimeters to 2 meters) |
| Life span | 30 – 40 years | Longest living land animal (80-150 years) |
| Limbs | Turtles have limbs relatively except that the feet are webbed and often have long claws. | Tortoise limbs are not flat like turtles. |
| Diet | Jellyfish, sponges, aquatic plants, and sometimes dead animals. | Mostly herbivorous and some are omnivorous. Food includes mostly grass, leaves, flowers, fruits, worms, and insects. |
