What’s the Difference?
Both turtles and tortoises have hard shells that protect them from predators and beaked mouths to help cut up veggies or prey. While they have many similarities, they also have many differences. Tortoises are mainly vegetarian and live their lives solely on land, while turtles are omnivorous and spend majority of their time in water. Box turtles are terrestrial turtles that live mostly on land but have the same webbed feet as their aquatic cousins, while tortoises’ feet are much more similar to an elephant foot.
Turtle & Tortoise Native Regions
Select a species from the dropdown to see a map of their native regions, learn about their natural habitat, and explore care tips for those species.
Painted Turtle
(Chrysemys picta)
Painted turtles are found all across North America. The four subspecies of painted turtle (Eastern, Western, Southern, Midland) all show subtle differences in appearance and come from different regions, but are very similar. These turtles are found in ponds and around small lakes across North America. As a diurnal (daytime) creature, you’re most likely to see them basking on logs in the sun. Although not overly social, they are regularly found in groups.
Care Tips
- Painted turtles are named for their ornate shell markings
- Live a long time (25-50 years)
- Average shell size ranges from 4 to 12 inches
- Found all over North America
- Require an aquarium with a dry basking spot
- Eats while swimming, so floating food is preferred
Small Tortoises
(Testudo)
The Testudo genus of tortoises originate from northern Africa, western Asia, and parts of Europe. They are used to dry, arid environments and can be found in various places like rocky hillsides, Mediterranean scrub, fields and meadows, and dry forests. Testudo tortoises are daytime animals. You’ll often see them out in the daylight, munching on grasses and other plants.
Care Tips
- Live a very long time (50-100 years)
- Originate from dry areas around the Mediterranean Sea
- Must have escape-proof housing
- Require a thermal gradient and basking area
- Herbivores that need supplementation
- Handle gently and deliberately
Diamondback Terrapin
(Malaclemys terrapin)
Diamondback terrapins are native to North America, primarily found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. They inhabit brackish water habitats, including marshes, estuaries, and tidal creeks. Diamondback terrapins remain an iconic species in coastal ecosystems and are valued for their ecological role and cultural significance. They are protected by various federal, state, and local laws, so check your local laws regarding their ownership before purchasing one.
Care Tips
- Native to North America
- Live 25-40 years on average
- Females grow to about 8 inches, males to 5
- Named for their diamond-shaped scutes
- Require brackish water
- Primarily eat meat
Eastern Box Turtle
(Terrapene carolina carolina)
Eastern box turtles are native to the eastern United States. They inhabit a variety of environments from damp forests to dry grassy fields. They are active during the day and often seen foraging for food. Unfortunately, their populations are declining in the wild due to a combined result of environmental factors.
Care Tips
- Fairly playful and social
- Live 40-50 years on average
- On average grow to 5-7 inches long
- Prefer minimal handling
- Known for their distinct high-domed shells
- Populations are declining in the wild
Mississippi Map Turtle
(Graptemys pseudogeographica kohn)
There are 14 subspecies of map turtles. Map turtles get their name from the distinct patterns on their shells that resemble the ridges of a map. As expected, the Mississippi map turtle is native to the Mississippi River and its southern tributaries. Conservation efforts and regulations are currently in effect to protect map turtles in the wild.
Care Tips
- Skittish and shy
- Live 30+ years on average
- Females grow to about 10 inches, males to 5
- Named for their “map-like” shells
- Have a strong bite and don’t like being handled
- Recommended for experienced keepers only
Mud Turtle
(Kinosternon subrubrum)
The eastern mud turtle can be found in ponds all along the eastern United States. They are unique from most other aquatic turtles in that they are a semi-terrestrial turtle, meaning they live both on land and in water. They also rarely bask, preferring to walk, bury under leaves, or settle on the bottom of shallow ponds.
Care Tips
- Found along the eastern United States
- Can live for up to 50 years
- Average size of 3-4 inches
- Semi-terrestrial; live both on land and in water
- Rarely bask, prefer burying into mud
- Occasionally grouchy
Musk Turtle
(Sternotherus Odoratus)
Musk turtles are native to eastern North America. They are nocturnal creatures and although they are aquatic turtles, they are most likely to be found in shallow waters due to their relatively weak swimming ability.
Care Tips
- Found along the eastern United States
- Can live over 50 years.
- Average size of 3-5 inches
- Nocturnal creatures, do not bask often
- Relatively weak swimmers
- Can release a strong odor when threatened
Red Eared Slider
(Trachemys scripta elegans)
Red-eared sliders are native to North American ponds, rivers, and lakes. They are daytime creatures and love the sun, so you’ll regularly find them basking on logs or rocks when they aren’t enjoying a swim. While sliders bred in captivity may show curiosity to meet you, wild sliders are often more cautious and are likely to retreat into their shells or water when approached.
Care Tips
- One of the most popular pet turtle species
- Named for their distinct red markings behind each eye
- Live a long time (20-30 years)
- Average shell size ranges from 8 to 12 inches
- Originate from North America
- Friendly compared to some other turtle
Red Footed Tortoise
(Chelonoidis carbonaria)
Red Footed Tortoises originate from the rainforests of southern Central America and South America. If they aren’t hiding under fallen trees or piles of leaves and sticks from predators and harsh weather, you will usually find them alone looking for food. They are particularly fond of hanging around fruit trees in the rainforest where they can eat fallen fruit off the forest floor.
Care Tips
- Originate from tropical areas
- Live a very long time (50-90 years)
- Must have escape-proof housing
- Require a thermal gradient and basking area
- Omnivores but mostly eat vegetation
- Handle gently and deliberately
Sideneck Turtle
(Pleurodira)
As the name suggests, African sideneck turtles originate from Africa. In the wild, they have one distinct advantage over other fellow turtles: their long neck. When flipped upside-down, these turtles can flip themselves back over using their neck muscles, an advantage that other turtles don’t have. They are also fairly social with other aquatic turtles.
Care Tips
- Native to Africa
- Live 25-50 years on average
- Females grow to about 12 inches, males to 7
- Longneck, cannot fully retract heads
- Mouth is curved in to a permanent smile
- Omnivorous diet
Softshell Turtle
(Apalone mutica, Apalone spinifera, Apalone ferox)
Softshell turtles are native to Africa, Asia, and North America. Because of their softer protection, these strange and fascinating creatures are vulnerable in the wild to predators, wounds, and infections. As a result, softshell turtles often submerge themselves in mud to hide from threats and can be aggressive when approached.
Care Tips
- Named for their unique softshell
- Particularly vulnerable because of shell
- Average lifespan of 25+ years
- Surprisingly fast on land
- Regularly hide in mud and sand
- Should not be handled unless necessary
Yellow-Bellied Sliders
(Trachemys scripta scripta)
Yellow-bellied sliders are native to the southeastern U.S., ranging from Florida to Virginia. They are diurnal creatures that are most often found active during day, basking in the sun. As an aquatic reptile, they spend most of their time in water but require warm basking areas to dry off before resting.
Care Tips
- Native to South Eastern U.S.A.
- Live 30-40 years on average
- Females grow to about 13 inches, males to 9
- Named for their yellow underbelly
- Generally friendly and entertaining personalities
- Messy and require good water filtration
Tips for Enhancing Your Turtle's Habitat
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Turtle & Tortoise FAQs
How long do turtles live?Pet turtles commonly live 20–40 years with proper care, and many species can exceed 50. Aquatic turtles like red-eared sliders often reach 20–30 years, while box turtles can live 40+ years. A turtle is a long-term commitment — plan for decades, not years. -
What do turtles eat?Most pet turtles are omnivores. A balanced diet includes a high-quality commercial turtle pellet as the staple, supplemented with leafy greens, vegetables, and occasional protein such as insects, worms, or feeder fish. Juveniles need more protein; adults shift toward more plant matter.
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What's the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?All tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises. Tortoises live exclusively on land, have dome-shaped shells and sturdy, elephant-like legs, and are primarily herbivores. Turtles spend much or all of their lives in water, have flatter shells and webbed feet or flippers, and are typically omnivores.
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How long do tortoises live?Tortoises are among the longest-lived pets on Earth. Smaller species like Russian tortoises live 40–50 years, while larger species such as sulcatas can live 70–100+ years. Many tortoises outlive their owners, so a long-term care plan is essential.
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What do tortoises eat?Tortoises are mostly herbivores. The bulk of their diet should be grasses, hay, weeds, and dark leafy greens, supplemented with tortoise-specific commercial diets and occasional vegetables. Fruit should be a rare treat for most species, and calcium supplementation is important for shell health.
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Do turtles make good pets?Turtles can be rewarding, low-noise, hypoallergenic pets, but they're not low-maintenance. They require a properly sized habitat, water filtration, heat and UVB lighting, a varied diet, and decades of care. They're best for owners who enjoy observing rather than handling their pet.
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How long can turtles hold their breath?Most aquatic turtles can hold their breath for 30–45 minutes during normal activity, and much longer when resting. During brumation (reptile hibernation), some species can stay submerged for weeks by absorbing small amounts of oxygen through specialized tissues.
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Do turtles hibernate?Turtles and tortoises brumate rather than hibernate — a period of dormancy triggered by cold temperatures where metabolism slows dramatically. Indoor pet turtles kept at stable temperatures usually don't brumate. Never allow brumation without researching your species and confirming your pet is healthy.
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How big do turtles and tortoises get?Size varies enormously by species. Popular aquatic turtles like red-eared sliders reach 8–12 inches, while a sulcata tortoise — often sold as a coin-sized hatchling — can exceed 100 pounds. Always research adult size before purchasing so you can plan for the habitat your pet will eventually need.
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What size tank does a turtle need?A common rule of thumb is 10 gallons of tank capacity per inch of shell length, so a 5-inch turtle needs at least a 50-gallon tank. Aquatic turtles also need a dry basking platform, strong filtration, and room to swim. Bigger is always better.
