Are turtles reptiles?
Yes, turtles are reptiles. They are cold-blooded, air-breathing animals with scales and four limbs, belonging to the order Testudines, the same reptile group as tortoises and terrapins.
At the Goshen Reptile Expo, I stopped to photograph several turtles and tortoises at a vendor booth called Jimmy’s Tortoises. He had an incredible collection of species with high-contrast colors and shell patterns that I’ve never seen in the wild.
The turtles I usually see near my home are brown and green, blending into the water and vegetation. These, by comparison, had bold yellow and red markings, especially the ones identified as red-footed tortoises and diamondback terrapins.
The vendor’s display was busy and well-lit, with tanks and enclosures showing the different species. A woman tending to the animals was friendly and happy to answer questions, even letting me pick up a small turtle for a close-up photo.
I noticed its nose shape was slightly pointed, unlike the flatter snouts of the map turtles I’m used to seeing in local rivers.
Seeing such variety made me wonder if turtles are classified as amphibians or reptiles. After checking, I learned that turtles are reptiles because they’re cold-blooded, have scales, and lay eggs on land.
Amphibians, like frogs or salamanders, have soft skin and spend part of their lives in water and part on land. So turtles fall squarely in the reptile category.
Jimmy’s Tortoises doesn’t appear to have much of a social media presence beyond an occasional Instagram post, but his collection is well-known among reptile expo regulars. Many shows across the country announce when he’s attending, which says a lot about how anticipated his setups are.
At the Goshen Reptile Expo, I stopped to photograph several turtles and tortoises at a vendor booth called Jimmy’s Tortoises. He had an incredible collection of species with high-contrast colors and shell patterns that I’ve never seen in the wild.
The turtles I usually see near my home are brown and green, blending into the water and vegetation. These, by comparison, had bold yellow and red markings, especially the ones identified as red-footed tortoises and diamondback terrapins.
The vendor’s display was busy and well-lit, with tanks and enclosures showing the different species. A woman tending to the animals was friendly and happy to answer questions, even letting me pick up a small turtle for a close-up photo.
I noticed its nose shape was slightly pointed, unlike the flatter snouts of the map turtles I’m used to seeing in local rivers.
Seeing such variety made me wonder if turtles are classified as amphibians or reptiles. After checking, I learned that turtles are reptiles because they’re cold-blooded, have scales, and lay eggs on land.
Amphibians, like frogs or salamanders, have soft skin and spend part of their lives in water and part on land. So turtles fall squarely in the reptile category.
Jimmy’s Tortoises doesn’t appear to have much of a social media presence beyond an occasional Instagram post, but his collection is well-known among reptile expo regulars. Many shows across the country announce when he’s attending, which says a lot about how anticipated his setups are.
Corky Lorenz
November 10, 2025