Differences between a terrapin, tortoise and turtle

A terrapin is usually found in most home tanks - they live mainly on land but need water to wet themselves with. They are both carnivorous, they have a liking to eat small fishes, and vegetarian – eating water weeds and algae.

A tortoise is a land creature. They are strictly vegetarian and hibernates through winter! The star tortoise is a tropical tortoise and does not hibernate. They make good garden pets as they eat up the weeds, but are not good in flats. A good choice for those living in houses.

A turtle is a sea dwelling creature – again eating fish and vegetables. They cannot live on land, only coming to shore to lay eggs before returning to sea. They are not good to keep as a pet at all.