Difference between Turtle and Tortoise

Some say Turtle, some say tortoise...

Who is correct???

Does turtle sound cool and tortoise old-fashioned?

Basically,

All tortoises are turtles but not all turtles are tortoises…🙄and yes, that's correct!!!

Turtles are reptiles belonging to Order Testudines with a special characteristic feature- an external/ outer shell.

Let's find the differences between turtles and tortoises below:

Turtles

Tortoise

Turtles are adapted to live in water. Turtles come to land to lay their eggs [🥚X 100]. Sea turtles lay upto 100 eggs at once. Turtles are omnivorous.  Turtles have flippers and webbed feet. Turtles have light-weight and streamlined shells. They cannot retract into their shells. Turtle eggs incubate on their own for about 100 days. Hatchlings make their way to the water once they are out.

Tortoises spend most of their life on land. Tortoises visit water to quench their thirst and occasionally to take a bath in it. Tortoises are vegetarians.  Tortoises have forelegs and ‘elephant-like’ hind legs, with digits and phalanges. Tortoises bear heavier and dome-shaped shells. They retract into their shells to protect themselves from predators. Tortoises protect their hatchlings for about 80 days.

Some interesting facts about Turtles : 

1. World Turtle Day is celebrated every year on May 23rd, in order to spread awareness as turtles have been categorized as critically endangered in wild.

2. The theme of World Turtle Day in 2022 was "Shellebrate."

3. Leatherback Sea Turtles are the largest turtles. As from their name, they don't bear hard shells, instead they have oily, leather-like shells. Due to extensive human interference, leatherback turtles are enlisted as endangered species.

4. Turtles are believed to be wonderful gifts as they symbolise longevity and success in life.

5. A group of tortoises is called a ''creep", whereas a group of turtles is called a "bale".