What's the difference between a tortoise and a turtle; also, between a crocodile and an alligator?

Question

What's the difference between a tortoise and a turtle; also, between a crocodile and an alligator?

Answer 1

I'm a herpetology (reptilian scientist)student, and I study these species all of the time, Tortoises are by nature, land dwellers, though some do flock to water, or live near water bodies. A turtle, is generally a combination of water and land dweller. However, be aware the names are hardly ever said correctly. A gopher tortoise, is often called "turtle". Crocs are different from alligators in a number of ways. They have a very different body, usually the nose is the main detail, but they also live in very different regions, crocs are found all over the world, excluding antarctic regions (duh) but Alligators are only native to specific regions. Alligators also breed and raise young differently, and sport a different skin tone and texture.

Answer 2

A turtle spends more time in the water and its shape is more streamlined(such as green sea turtles), and tortoises tend to live more in deserts, and they aren't as water-prone as turtles (think of Galapagos giant tortoises). Crocodiles are more aggressive and have longer snouts than alligators. That's about all i know.

Answer 3

Actually, this is a common, but very weird question in a lot of ways. The words are not that easy to clearly define.

Turtles:

All shelled reptiles are called 'turtles' as a group. Another term is 'chelonian'. Different places in the world, and different groups of people use the words 'turtle', 'tortoise', and 'terrapin' differently.

Many of us divide them as...

- Sea turtles. Turtles that live in the open ocean. Examples- Ridley Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Turtle

- Turtles. Turtles that live mostly in fresh or brackish water. that do not bask often. Examples- Snapping Turtles, Softshell Turtles, Mud Turtles.

- Pond Turtles. Turtles that bask often. In Europe they are called Terrapins. Examples- Painted Turtles, Red-ear Sliders

- Marsh Turtles. Turtles that live about half-and-half on land or in water, often found near marshes. Examples- Spiny Turtle, Bog Turtle

- Land Turtles. Turtles that live totally on land. Most land turtles are true Tortoises (turtles with elephant-like legs with virtually no toes), although it also includes North American Box Turtles.

Crocodilians:

All members of this order are called crocodiles, but they are divided up into groups as well...

- Alligators- crocs with rounded snouts. Found only in the US and China. 'Bulkier' than most crocs in the same locations.

- Caimans- smallish crocs found in South America

- Gharials- long-snouted crocs, mostly found in India

- Crocodiles- all other crocs.