Guest Author - Meg Grooms

A turtle is a turtle and a tortoise is a tortoise, right? What is a terrapin? Is a turtle a terrapin? Is a tortoise a terrapin? What exactly is a terrapin and what are the major differences between a turtle, a tortoise and a terrapin?

All tortoises, terrapins and turtles are reptiles and all belong to the chelonian family. All have shells, all have scales and all lay eggs. Generally the name of turtle, tortoise or terrapin is given in reference to the type of habitat in which the animal spends most of their life. Cultural norms also dictate the name of the animal.

Turtles spend most of their life in water and have webbed feet. Turtles spend the majority of their life in water, be it the ocean or a pond. Most leave the water only to lay eggs and occassionally to warm their bodies up in the sun. Examples of turtles include the varieties of sea turtle found in the oceans, as well as soft shell turtles, red ear sliders and painted turtles often found in lakes around the United States. Most turtles are omnivores.

Tortoises refer to land animals that eat shrubs and grasses. Tortoises do not have webbed feet, rather they have rounded legs made for walking on land. Tortoises have claw-like toenails designed to burrow underground to protect the animal from the sun. The most known tortoise is the Galapagos Tortoise, though smaller tortoises such as the African Sulcatta are popular pets. The United States is home to many indigenous tortoises, most found in the western United States. Tortoises are well known for their long lives, even the smaller varieties can reach fifty to one hundred years in age with proper care and habitat. Sadly, many indigenous tortoises are endangered due to loss of habitat. There are native species in the south that must now be relocated before construction begins, but this is only a temporary fix to the problem. As new communities are built the tortoise's habitat becomes smaller, forcing tortoises onto roads and into other dangerous situations. Most tortoises are herbivores.

A terrapin is an animal that splits its time between land and water. Usually terrapins live near the water, but they can survive in or out of the water. Terrapins have food sources on land and in water habitats. Terrapins have feet that are designed for swimming and being on land, though they don't have nearly the swimming ability of the turtle or the digging ability of the tortoise. Terrapins are generally less known as most people mistake them for turtles. Most terrapins, including the Diamondback varieties are facing extinction and are found only in brackish waters. Most terrapins are omnivores.