Diane Valerien, age 11, of West Warwick, Rhode Island, for her question:

How do turtles and tortoises differ?

The lazy old slowpokes are all so much alike that nobody could mistake them for any other type of animal, and they all belong to the same animal family. In fact, some of them do not seem too sure themselves whether they are turtles or tortoises. But we can say for certain that the big fellows who live on the Galapagos Islands are toftoises, and that the sea going giants who come on land only to lay their eggs are turtles. In a general way, the tortoises are reptiles of the land while the turtles are water dwelling reptiles. A true tortoise waddles along on stubby feet fitted with stubby claws. A true turtle has fin type flippers to help him nagivate easily on and under the water.

Some tortoises detest the water and go near it only to drink. Many turtles detest the dry land and almost never leave the sea. But between these two extremes, there are many types that like both land and water. This is especially true of many smaller members of the clan. Lots of little tortoises enjoy an occasional dip in the stream, and many little turtles like to bask for hours on a sunny rock