Should You Get a Turtle or Tortoise?

Turtles typically spend much of their lives in water and have webbed feet as a result. They come from Africa and the Americas, with shells that are generally lightweight and streamlined. Turtles are omnivores with lifespans between 20 and 40 years.

Tortoises are land-based, with feet that are designed for walking. Mostly from Asia and Africa, their dome-shaped shells are typically heavier than those of other turtles. Tortoises are mainly herbivores and tend to live for anywhere from 80 to 150 years.