Turtles – How They Differ From Tortoises?  

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a tortoise and a turtle? Both animals are reptiles; both lay eggs and both have hard, bony shells. Tortoises live on land, in deserts, grasslands and forests. Turtles have webbed feet and live in rivers, lakes or even the ocean. They only leave the water to lay their eggs. A terrapin is a turtle that spends time both in and out of the water. It always lives close to water, though, and can be found in swamps and wetlands.

Want to know all about turtles? Well, tortoises live on land, in deserts, grasslands and forests.

Whatever you call them, turtles are interesting animals. Their bony shell is covered in scales. It is attached to their backbone and can’t be removed. Some turtles can duck their head and limbs inside their shell for protection. Not all turtles can do this.

Turtles have webbed feet and live in rivers, lakes or even the ocean.

Fun Facts about Turtles for Kids

• Turtles are omnivores. They eat fruit, plants, insects and other animals. Some turtles even eat poisonous jellyfish.
• Sea turtles return to the same place every two or three years to lay their eggs. They migrate thousands of miles.
• Turtles lay their soft eggs in the sand, dirt, or in grass. They dig holes and deposit the eggs. Some turtles lay only a few eggs. Some can lay over 1,000 at one time. Once the eggs are laid, the turtles move on, leaving the babies to fend for themselves.
• Turtles can’t move very fast. People catch them for pets and other animals hunt them.
• Turtles are ectothermic. They can’t control their own body temperature.

A terrapin is a turtle that spends time both in and out of the water. It always lives close to water, though, and can be found in swamps and wetlands.

Turtle Vocabulary

1. Webbed: skin between each bone or joint
2. Swamp: muddy wetland
3. Omnivore: eats both plants and animals
4. Migrate: move temporarily
5. Ectothermic: can’t control body temperature

Some turtles can duck their head and limbs inside their shell for protection. Not all turtles can do this.

Learn More All about Turtles

Watch this amazing video documentary about them:

A nature film about turtles and tortoises.

Turtle Q&A

Question: How long do turtles and tortoises live?

Answer: Turtles and tortoises can live from 40 to 100 years.

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Question: Do turtles make good pets?

Answer: They sometimes carry diseases and they don’t like to be handled like a dog or cat, but they can make good pets with the right care.

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