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Habitat
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Turtles tend to live near water. The aquatic turtle species spend most of their lives in the water, while other species spend more time on land, but still live close to a water source. Some variants, like the American box turtle, only enter the water to relieve themselves. The tortoise lives on land the majority of its life.
Food
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The tortoise sustains itself on various plants and animals. Turtles' diets vary by species. Generally the fully aquatic turtles live on a primarily carnivorous diet. The less aquatic a turtle species is, the more it relies on vegetation, as opposed to meat, for sustenance. Young turtles also tend to be meat eaters, but learn to eat their vegetables as they get older.
Body Design
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The tortoise is a heavyweight compared to the turtle. It is generally heavier, larger and less agile than a turtle. The tortoise has short feet with sharp claws to help it gain traction on the ground. The tortoise stays comfortable by lying in the sun for warmth and digging underground to get cool. The turtle is smaller and more lightweight. It is streamlined and has webbed feet for easier swimming. It stays comfortable by soaking in the water to stay cool and lying in the sun for warmth.
Common Traits
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Turtles and tortoises have a great deal in common. They both have hard shells to protect them from other animals. They can withdraw into the shell until a predator leaves the area. Turtles and tortoises both lay eggs to reproduce. Neither species is able to stay warm with their own body heat. They must use outside sources, such as sunlight, to stay warm. This is referred to as ectothermic.
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The Differences Between Tortoises & Turtles
Turtles and tortoises are easily confused due to the similarities that exist between them. They are both in the taxonomic class Reptilia, order Chelonia. The Chelonia group consists of 244 species of shelled reptiles, all of which have scales and lay eggs. The shells, which are part of the skeleton, are made of bones covered by plates.