Turtles and tortoises and terrapin. Are they different? The San Diego Zoo says these three names are common usage names and usually refer to the habitat of the animal for which they are used. According to the zoo's explanation, tortoises are creatures of the land, turtles are fully water or mostly water creatures and terrapin are found in water or land, but are always near water. However, they are often used interchangeably.
There is a scientific order, Testudines, referred to as the Turtle family and an order, Testudinidae, referred to as the Tortoise family. All of Connecticut's turtles, except the 4 sea turtles which are in order Chelonidae, are classified under order Testudines.
Turtles are reptiles. There are about 12 species of turtles found in Connecticut. Four of these are sea turtles.
Sea turtles leave their ocean homes to dig nests and lay eggs. They then return to the water. The hatchlings must find their way into the sea as soon as they can. None of the four sea turtles found in Connecticut waters come ashore to lay eggs on New England beaches. They use warmer beaches for nesting. All four sea turtles are endangered species protected by law.
Sea Turtles, currently link to images only
- Atlantic Ridley Turtle or Kemp's Ridley Turtle
- Green Turtle
- Leatherback Turtle
- Loggerhead Turtle
Freshwater and Terrestial Turtles
Bog turtle
Box turtle
Diamondback terrapin
Musk turtle
Painted turtle
Snapping turtle
Spotted turtle
Wood turtle