To sum up, tortoise is the collective name for turtle and soft-shelled turtle, while soft-shelled turtle is the common name for turtle. As for turtles and soft-shell turtles, there are three differences. First, the bite force of turtles is stronger than that of most soft-shell turtles. Second, soft-shell turtles have a skirt of flesh on the edge of their shells, while turtles do not. Third, turtles can shrink their entire bodies, but soft-shell turtles cannot. .

1. Turtle

Turtle is a general term for reptiles in the family Tritonidae. It is characterized by a very strong carapace on its body. When attacked, the turtle can retract its head, tail and limbs. Inside the shell (except sea turtles and snapping turtles).

Most turtles are carnivorous, feeding on worms, snails, shrimps and small fish, as well as stems and leaves of plants. Common species include golden turtles, pig-nosed turtles, eagle-billed turtles, and Chinese turtles. Grass turtles, giant snapping turtles, yellow-throated water turtles, Galapagos giant tortoises, yellow-margined turtles, Chinese painted turtles, etc.

2. Tortoise

Tortoise is the general name for soft-shelled turtles and turtles. The earliest tortoise fish with single nails, such as the "thousand-year tortoise and eight thousand-year turtle", etc. Later, people found a "王" character in the middle and two "eight" characters in the front and back on the texture of the turtle's plastron, so the tortoise also refers to Turtle is a curse word that is widely circulated nowadays, and it has also led to many curse words.

3. Soft-shell turtle

Soft-shell turtle is the common name for soft-shelled turtles. It is the general name for soft-shell aquatic turtles of the order Turtles and the family Turtles. It is also known as turtles, water fish, etc. It is called Tan in some places in the south. Fish, Jiayu, etc. The soft-shelled turtle has a head like a turtle, but its carapace does not have turtle-like stripes. It has a soft skirt around the edges, and its shell is softer than that of a turtle.

The shape is oval, flatter than that of a turtle. The dorsal and ventral carapace is covered with a soft outer membrane and is surrounded by a delicate skirt. The head, neck and limbs can be retracted, and each limb has five claws. Judging from the appearance and color, soft-shell turtles usually have dark green backs and limbs, some have light brown backs, and white and red ventral surfaces.