Why make this page?

I have decided to create this page to inform the world about the amazing world of turtles and tortoises and what the difference between them.

Whats included?

A list of all the types of turtles, tortoises, sea turtles and info about them. their anatomy and a care guide. Turtle vs. Tortoise: Tortoises and turtles are both reptiles from the order of Testudines, but in different classification families. The major difference between the two is that tortoises dwell on land, while turtles live in the water some or nearly all of the time. A turtle has flipper like feet and a tortoise has trunk like legs.

keywords and other cool facts: reptile glossary

Tortoise

Turtle

What’s the difference between TURTLES & TORTOISES?

Although they appear to be very similar, there are a number of important differences, which set them apart.

Turtles
Spend most of their lives in the water and have webbed feet for swimming. Sea turtles for instance almost never leave the ocean, except to come ashore to lay eggs. Other turtles live in fresh water ponds and lakes. They swim, but they also spend a considerable amount of time on shore banks or rocks to bask in the sun. In cold weather, they may burrow in the mud, where they go into torpor (a state of decreased physiological activity in an animal, including a usually reduced body temperature and metabolic rate) until spring and warmer weather returns. One species, the Eastern Painted Turtle from North America holds the record in the animal kingdom for holding it's breath. While hibernating under the ice in winter, this turtle may not take another breath for six months!!! It does this by absorbing oxygen from the water through tiny blood vessels in it's throat and Cloaca (the opening, or vent at the base of the tail).

Tortoises
These animals cannot swim, they are land-dwellers that eat shrubs, grasses, and cactus. Tortoises do not have webbed feet, instead their feet are round and stumpy for walking on land. Tortoises living in hot, dry habitats use their strong front legs to dig burrows. Then, when it’s too hot in the sun, they can cool off underground.

There is also another shelled species known as the Terrapin These animals split time both on land and in water, and always live in areas near water, like rivers, ponds, and lakes. Terrapins are often found in brackish, swampy areas.