Characteristics of Turtle. 1. The difference between tortoise and turtle is apparent when their habitat is taken into consideration. Not very helpful, I know. Head of turtle is partially withdrawn into the shell. A division of reptiles, called chelonians, includes turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. •Tortoises live almost exclusively on land, so do not have flippers, but normal feet without webbing, often with sharp claws for digging. Turtle has heart shaped carapace. It typically eats grasses, flowers and weeds. It is comparatively smaller in size. 2. The feet of turtles and tortoises make telling the difference between the them a bit easier. Colloquially, both biologists and lay people use the word, "turtle" to mean all chelonians. The basic difference between a turtle and tortoise is that turtle lives in the water most of its lifetime whereas tortoise lives on the land. While many species of turtles will spend large amounts of time out of the water to bask, they are an aquatic species and … Turtle and tortoise tend to confuse a lot of people because of their almost similar appearance. What is difference between turtle or tortoise? Question: What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise? They sometimes eat fruit and leafy greens, especially in captivity. For the most part, the difference between a turtle and tortoise is more of a rough semantic category than a strict taxonomic separation. These flippers and webbed feet make it easier for them to swim through the water. It is an aquatic and marine form. Aquatic water turtles will either have webbed feet or even flippers in the case of sea turtles. Another difference between a turtle and a tortoise is that a tortoise is mostly herbivorous. It is an aquatic and marine form. Main Difference. Turtle or tortoise? Head of turtle is partially withdrawn into the shell. Fun. Difference between Turtle and Tortoise (Turtle vs Tortoise) - Comparison table. Most turtles are aquatic or at least semi-aquatic. 5. Terrapins are small with hard shells shaped like those of turtles. Characteristics of Turtle. Well, actually, there’s a meaningful difference between tortoises and other turtles. From a strictly biological perspective, all tortoises are terrestrial. The Difference Between Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins, and Other Turtle Facts January 25, 2013 Noreen 14 comments All three animals come under the class of reptiles, in the taxonomic order of Testudines or Chelonia (which comes from the Greek word … Unlike the webbed feet of a turtle, the tortoise species have stubby feet with sharp claws for traction. terrapins spend their lives in and out of the water. What is a tortoise anyway? All tortoises are in fact turtles—that is, they belong to the order Testudines or Chelonia, reptiles having bodies encased in a bony shell—but not all turtles a… 1. Secondary School. Turtle and Tortoise are both reptiles and belong from the same family Chelonian and order of Testudines. tortoises live only on land. 5. They are typically larger, bulkier and heavier than their turtle counterparts. 3. Turtles have lightweight and flatter shells mounted on their backs to make it easier for them to swim underwater, while the land-dwelling tortoises have heavier and more dome-shaped shells. Turtle has heart shaped carapace. Ask questions, doubts, problems and we will help you. It is comparatively smaller in size. 6. Just wondering if there is a difference at all. Join now. 2. 6. Difference between Tortoise and Turtle. They tend to eat low-growing vegetation. Log in. Difference between Turtle and Tortoise (Turtle vs Tortoise) - Comparison table. 5 points What is the difference between turtle and tortoise? Well, I just gave the scientific definition (turtle = animal from order Testudines, tortoise = animal from family Testudinidae).