As nouns the difference between tortoise and chelonian
is that tortoise is any of various land-dwelling reptiles, of family testudinidae , whose body is enclosed in a shell (carapace plus plastron) the animal can withdraw its head and four legs partially into the shell, providing some protection from predators while chelonian is a reptile of the order chelonia (testudines ).
As an adjective chelonian is
of, relating to, or belonging to the order chelonia'' (''testudines ), which includes the turtles and tortoises.
tortoise
Noun
(
en noun)
Any of various land-dwelling reptiles, of family Testudinidae , whose body is enclosed in a shell (carapace plus plastron). The animal can withdraw its head and four legs partially into the shell, providing some protection from predators.
Synonyms
* (l)
Derived terms
* tortoise shell, tortoise-shell, pancake tortoise
See also
* terrapin
* turtle
Anagrams
*
chelonian
English
Adjective
(
en adjective)
Of, relating to, or belonging to the order Chelonia'' (''Testudines ), which includes the turtles and tortoises.
Noun
(
en noun)
A reptile of the order Chelonia (Testudines )