What is the Difference Between Sea Turtles and Land Turtles?

The main differences between sea turtles and land turtles are:

1. Habitat: Sea turtles live in the ocean and are aquatic creatures, while land turtles (or tortoises) live on land and are terrestrial creatures.
2. Limbs and Flippers: Sea turtles have flippers for swimming, which are modified limbs, while land turtles have sturdier limbs with claws for walking on land.
3. Shell Shape: Sea turtles have a more streamlined body shape and flatter shells for moving through water, while land turtles have a dome-shaped shell that provides protection against predators.
4. Retractability: Land turtles have the ability to retract their limbs and head into their shell for protection, while sea turtles cannot retract their limbs into their shell due to their modified flippers.
5. Diet: Tortoises, a type of land turtle, are generally vegetarians, while sea turtles and other turtles consume a variety of plants and animals.

In summary, sea turtles are aquatic creatures with flippers and flatter shells, while land turtles are terrestrial creatures with sturdier limbs, more dome-shaped shells, and the ability to retract their limbs into their shells.

Comparative Table: Sea Turtles vs Land Turtles

Here is a table comparing the differences between sea turtles and land turtles:

Both sea turtles and land turtles are reptiles belonging to the order Testudines, but they have some distinct physical and ecological differences. Sea turtles have a more streamlined body shape and limbs modified into flippers for efficient swimming, while land turtles have a domed shell and sturdy limbs for protection and support on land. Sea turtles cannot retract their limbs and head into their shell, whereas land turtles can. The diets of sea turtles can vary, with some being omnivorous, herbivorous, or carnivorous, while most land turtles are herbivorous. Sea turtles lay soft, leather-like eggs, whereas land turtles lay hard-shelled eggs.