Turtles are aquatic or semi-aquatic reptiles that typically have webbed feet for swimming. They live in water or near water and have a streamlined body shape. Tortoises, on the other hand, are land-dwelling reptiles with short and sturdy legs. They have dome-shaped shells and are primarily terrestrial animals. So, the main difference between a tortoise and a turtle is their habitat preference – turtles live in water, while tortoises live on land.