Turtles can be aquatic, semi-aquatic, or mostly terrestrial. Tortoises are turtles that live on land and aren't equipped for water. ... Only sea turtles have true flippers.

Do turtles have flippers or legs?

Limbs are flippers adapted for swimming. Sea turtles are awkward and vulnerable on land. Unlike land turtles, a sea turtle cannot retract its limbs under its shell. ... A sea turtle swims with powerful wing-like beats of its fore flippers.

Do tortoise have flippers?

Tortoises have club-like forelegs and 'elephantine' hind legs. Because tortoise are often larger and heavier, their elephantine hind legs help them move around and carry the extra weight! Turtles will have more flipper like legs, or webbed feet to make it easier to cruise through the water.