Chelonian reptile is a scientific term used to describe a shelled reptile such as a turtle or tortoise. The term chelonian comes from the Greek word for turtle, chelone. Alternatives to chelonian reptile include shelled reptile, carapaced reptile, and testudine (derived from the Latin word for turtle, testudo). Other words that can be used to describe these creatures include terrapin, which refers to aquatic turtles, and tortoise, which describes land-dwelling turtles. While scientific terminology is useful for classification, there are many creative ways to describe these fascinating creatures that highlight their unique features and personalities.