We all may have heard of turtles or tortoises being mentioned in conversations and news reports. Less often, there are reports about the similar-looking terrapin too. Are they all the same? If not, what makes them different from each other?
The confusion around these creatures is perhaps due to some of the similarities they have – they are all reptiles, they have scales / shells, and lay eggs. At a glance, all of them do seem to look similar too. But understanding their habitats and a closer examination reveals the differences among them.
Turtles, both seawater and freshwater ones, spend their time in water. Most seawater turtles hardly leave the water, except when the females have to lay eggs. Freshwater turtles are more likely to swim out of the water now and then to bask in the sun. Since their existence depends so heavily on water, their bodies are streamlined, shells are invariably light-weight and flat, and while seawater turtles usually have flippers, freshwater ones have webbed feet to help them swim easily. Turtles are omnivores that consume fruits, insects, etc.
Tortoises, on the other hand, are land-dwelling reptiles. They have dome-shaped shells, and have bent legs with short and sturdy feet. These limbs not only help them travel on land but also dig burrows. Unlike turtles, tortoises mostly feed on low-growing shrubs, grasses, etc. Tortoises can retract their heads into their shells while not all turtles can.
Terrapin, meanwhile, seem to be a bit of both. Though they spend their time both on land and in water, they invariably live close to waterbodies such as rivers, ponds, and lakes. They are said to be often found in brackish, swampy areas. Despite being good swimmers, they don’t have flippers or webbed feet. They have streamlined bodies like turtles, and a hard shell like tortoises.
Picture Credit : Google
