Tortoise

 

Tortoises generally live on land and have legs for walking whereas turtles are fully aquatic and have flippers for swimming.

 

A Terrapin has legs adopted for swimming and walking on land. River turtles and terrapins soak up oxygen through their skin and can stay under water for days if not active and will hibernate under water during cold periods.

 

Turtles are graceful saltwater reptiles and can swim long distances in a short time. Very sensitive to sound. Females return to land to lay eggs. Lay as many as 200 eggs but only a handful will survive. They have an excellent sense of smell, hear better at low frequencies, and have good underwater vision but are short sighted on land. Turtles do not have teeth but a modified jaw.

 

Tortoises belong to the same family as crocodiles, alligators and lizards, and can live for more than 100 years.