Turtles

 

Turtle or Tortoise... what's the difference?

The turtle family is called Testudinae this is part of the reptile family. All have a beak called a tomia and not teeth.
All have a shell, the top part of the shell is called a carapace. Underneath the shell covers the belly and is called a plastron. The shell is part of the animal's body and does not come off. Some turtles have a soft leathery shell, but most have hard shells.

There are 3 groups of turtles:
Turtles generally spend most of their time in the water. Sea turtles have flipper-like legs.
Tortoises spend most of their time on the land. Their legs and feet are very club-like, with claws.
There are also terrapins, which spend equal amount of time on land and in the water.

In Australia, there are native turtles but no tortoises.

Juvenile Turtles!

These make great pets, remember all pets grow, there are no turtles(terrapins) that do not grow.  There is a myth that you can purchase turtles that do not grow, any animal that does not grow is unwell!