Collection: Tortoises & Turtles

What's the Difference Between Turtles and Tortoises?

Did you know that tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises? Most people use the term “turtle” to reference any reptile with a shell on its back, but there’s several differences between these two unique creatures.
World Turtle Day® is on May 23,  it’s important to know the difference between these shelled reptiles. 
Hers’s a little rundown on how to distinguish the differences between turtles and tortoises.

Tortoises

• Tortoises have more rounded and domed shells where turtles have thinner, more water-dynamic shells. 
• One major key difference is that tortoises spend most of their time on land

• Tortoises have club-like forelegs and 'elephantine' hind legs. Because tortoise are often larger and heavier, there elephantine hind legs help them move around and carry the extra weight!
  
  Turtles

• Turtle shells are more streamlined to aid in swimming.
• One major difference is that turtles are adapted for life spent in water.
• Turtles will have more flipper like legs, or webbed feet to make it easier to cruise through the water.