• Turtles can follow the magnetic fields of the Earth whereas there … A tortoise is a type of turtle." Well, actually, there’s a meaningful difference between tortoises and other turtles. Turtle is often used to refer to sea turtles that rarely leave the ocean. differences [Continued] Another difference between a sea turtle and a land turtle is their food.Sea turtles eat fish and other sea animals.Turtles eat mostly grasses and plants.Baby sea turtles eat small things like seaweed and fish eggs. Is it just a fancy way to say “turtle”? In general, both turtles and tortoises (as well as other reptiles) lay their eggs on land — it's what makes them different from amphibians, which need water for … Instead all aquatic members of the tortoise family are known as “turtles”. Shells differ between different species of turtles. View Images A green sea turtle, Chelonia mydas , an endangered species, swims over a southern Caribbean reef. The word “ tortoise," on the other hand, is usually used to refer to turtles that spend most of their time on land… A sea turtle gets really big. Another fact is that Both Land abd Sea Turtles breath air. A tortoise has more of a dome shape to its shell. Some of the only turtle that get big are tortoises, and a snapping turtle. No. differences [Continued] Another difference between a sea turtle and a land turtle is their food.Sea turtles eat fish and other sea animals.Turtles eat mostly grasses and plants.Baby sea turtles eat small things like seaweed and fish eggs. Turtles and tortoises belong to the order of reptiles known as Chelonia. Sea turtles can be omnivores, carnivores, or herbivores depending on their species. Turtles and tortoises are closely related. Indeed, the difference really depends on where you live; within the USA the word terrapin is rarely, if ever used. For instance, in Australia, other than marine sea turtles, they are all called tortoises. Sea turtles have something called a Terrapins and turtles are both aquatic reptiles, but much disagreement exists about the differences between these two chelonians. While the term “turtle” is used in a general way to refer to any member of this group, “tortoise” is usually reserved for a chelonian that lives strictly on land. A land turtle is known as tortoise. Their legs, front and back, are flippers, and not toes. In the United States, the term ‘turtles’ is given to chelonians that live in or near water. Terrapins live in swampy areas or begin life underwater and eventually move to dry land. Tortoises are turtles that live on land and aren't equipped for water. By adulthood, most sea turtles switch to a diet of vegetation only. Land turtles don't get very big. All types of land and aquatic turtles come in a wide range of sizes, colors and shapes. Land turtles are usually omnivores, which means they will eat both meat and plants. "The turtles are organisms with a shell, which might be in water or might be on land. That being said, in general there are a few commonly accepted distinctions between turtles, tortoises, and terrapins. Sometimes, the name "terrapin" is used to refer to an animal that falls somewhere between a turtle and a tortoise. The main difference between the two is that turtle is the name given to water-dwellers and tortoise is the name given to land-dwellers. A third term, “terrapin,” is sometime used to describe freshwater turtles as opposed to sea turtles. Because aquatic turtles spend time in the water, a turtle shell is flatter for streamlined swimming. They are both species of turtle however are different because they can only survive in there specified habitat. Turtles They are both reptiles from the same family (Testudines or Chelonian). Sea turtles have something called a Young or newborn sea turtles are omnivores that will eat plants and very small water creatures. • Turtles live in the sea and come to the land only to lay eggs, whereas terrapins live in fresh or brackish waters, they often come to the land. • Sea turtles live in the sea and come to shore only for egg laying, whereas land turtles always live on land and barely go to water. What is a tortoise anyway? What is the difference between Sea Turtle and Land Turtle? Land or Sea. What is the difference between Turtle and Terrapin? A turtle's diet can be determined by the shape of the jaw. Of course, turtle can also refer to the many types of turtles that live in fresh water, such as lakes or ponds. The last difference between turtles and tortoises is shell shape. Sea turtles is commonly heard, but what is a land turtle?