Question

Turtles and tortoises are both handsome folk with lovely shells. But what makes a tortoise different from a turtle?

Answer 1

Tortoises and turtles are the two reptiles from the order of Testudines yet in various characterization families. The significant contrast between the two is that tortoises dwell on land, while turtles live in the water.

The bodies of tortoises and turtles are both protected by a shell, the upper piece of which is called carapace, with the lower portion called a plastron. The carapace and the plastron are connected by an extension, which implies that however the head and limbs of a turtle or tortoise might be pulled back from the shell, the entire body can never be completely withdrawn from it. 

Answer 2

Turtles and tortoises are reptiles which belong to the order of Testudines. They have shells which protect their body.

But they belong to different classification families.

Tortoises live on land.

Turtles dwell in the water for some time or nearly all the time.