Did you consider that a turtle’s body is not only its place of residence? It’s also a component of the body that shields the turtle from predators and also the surrounding environment.
Turtles and tortoises are among the only animals with shells that form part of their body.
Shells are essential for the survival of all turtles and pet species aren’t any different. They protect and aid in numerous biological processes within the turtle’s body.
It is crucial that owners understand the reason why their turtle requires shells. It is also important to know what happens if the shell is damaged. Read on to find out about…
What is the reason Turtles have shells?
The turtle shell serves numerous purposes.
The turtle’s shell is used to serve a variety of reasons.
The most important motives for this are security and storage.
There’s two major components of a turtle’s shell:
- Carapace is the top portion which many consider to be the back of the turtle.
- Plastron – the lower part that is often referred to as the turtle’s belly.
The two parts that make up the shell of the turtle are protected by essential organs.
The spinal column and the rib cage are part of the carapace. The plastron guards vital organs such as the heart and lungs.
The shells also protect turtles from being attacked by predators. It is useful when predators want to attack the shell of a turtle. River otters, raccoons, minks, foxes and cats are the most common prey of North American turtle species. A lot of these predators possess powerful jaws, however they’re not able to compete with the shell of a turtle.
Shells are covered with hard scales known as scutes which are as durable as bone.
A variety of species of turtles can also be found hiding in their shells.
Turtles are able to draw their legs into their shells. Some even draw their heads inside by bending their necks, or pulling their head straight into. However, this is contingent on the way in which the shell is constructed.
Animals with a more aquatic nature are more likely to swim into the deep sea to avoid predators instead of hiding in their shells.
The shell serves many more purposes than just security It is used for much more than just protection, however.
It also functions as reservoir for fat, water and waste. The shell functions as the turtle’s primary reservoir for carbon dioxide, phosphate as well as a myriad of minerals (e.g. magnesium, calcium as well as sodium).
Where did their shells come From?
The majority of turtle shells are covered with tough scales, also known as Scutes.
Scientists aren’t completely certain how a turtle’s shell developed.
There has been a long-running debate within the scientific community as to why and how turtles have shells.
Scientists initially thought that a turtle’s shell was a part from their backbones and the ribs. But, it was later discovered to be more than it appears. It is not just a bone skeleton, but has an additional bony external structure.
A controversial issue among scientists was the very first step in the development of shells.
One popular theory is that their ancestors were turtles with no shells. The species began to show an widening of the ribs. This theory was controversial because this kind of evolution seems counterintuitive. The wider ribs will have given very little protection, while making it difficult to breathe and move.
There is evidence it is possible that two elements of the turtle’s shell (i.e. the carapace and the plastron) evolved in different ways.
This could suggest that the plastron and carapace had previously served two tasks.
It is the oldest of turtles, Odontochelys semitestacae, dates back to 220 million years ago. The fossils of this species were discovered to have the plastron (i.e. the bottom of the shell) and no carapace. This indicates that the plastron first appeared at the beginning of time and, a few millennia later the carapace developed.
However, this is being questioned.
A common understanding is the fact that modern-day turtles made its debut appearance in the latter half of the Triassic Period with the species Proganochelys. This species was equipped with a complete shell that included the carapace as well as plastron. All tortoise and turtle species have shells.
Can a turtle survive without A Shell?
The spine and ribs of turtles are joined to the interior of the carapace
The shell of a turtle is vital for survival. Can you remove the shell of a turtle and ensure its survival? No! They likely could not last for a few minutes or moments without. The shell of a turtle is comprised of nerve endings and bones that are essential to survive and function.
The shell is an essential element of a turtle’s anatomy that includes their spine, rib cage as well as nerves. It’s made of nerves, bone as well as blood vessels.
A turtle will feel when you place your finger on their shell as there are nerve endings within the shell.
The blood vessels and nerves connect the turtle’s shell to its body. The bones that are fused into the shell an integral part of the body. There is no wall between the turtle’s bones and internal organs.
It’s not only a essential protection for the organs of their internal systems However, vertebrates can’t exist with out their spinal cord. The spinal cord forms the link to the brain as well as nerve endings. If the spinal cord was not there the vertebrate wouldn’t be in a position to move muscles.
Without the shell, turtles would be like animals with no skin. In the end, the turtle’s shell is too valuable to disappear!
It is equally important to be aware of the other three features of a turtle’s shell:
- Security: A lot of predators in the environment of turtles consume their prey with their teeth. But, a shell can be sturdy enough to ward off serious bites.
- pH buffering This helps make the blood pH less acidic, allowing it to allow oxygen and other vital molecules throughout the body.
- Storage: It also functions as the primary storage space for magnesium, calcium, sodium carbon dioxide, phosphate as well as fat, water, and waste. All of these are necessary to their bodily functions and metabolism.
Can Turtles Remove Their Shells?
An Diamondback Terrapin Turtle in its colourful shell.
It’s not possible for turtles to “lose” its shell. The shell of a turtle is part of them just as our skeleton is component of our. The turtle is linked to its shell via skin, nerves the ribs, its skin, and the spinal cord.
However, turtles can crack or break their shell.
However, it is an unimaginably painful but typical injury for turtles that are pets.
Fractures of breakages can result by being thrown from the tank dropping them, or being stepped upon.
There are two major kinds of shell injuries:
- Depression fractures.
- Missing shell fragments.
In a depression fracture there is a fracture on the carapace’s midline (i.e. the top portion). This can result in damage on the vertebral column. Sometimes , these injuries heal themselves because a turtle shell is able to heal itself.
Shell fragments missing from the shell can vary from a small piece that isn’t a problem to a large piece that could prove dangerous.
If your turtle breaks their shells, the initial step is to bring it to a veterinarian. The vet will conduct an examination and likely use radiographs to determine the area that has been damaged and evaluate the severity of the damage.
For fractures that are slightly displaced, the doctor can use an approach that is as easy as adhesive tape. When tape is not an alternative, bridging is a surgical procedure that requires implant-like plates being secured on the outer shell.
Certain vets employ rigid, semi-permanent dressings , such as glues, resins, cements and acrylics. Some of these substances contain harmful chemicals to turtles. Due to their toxicity and negative long-term effects, it is recommended not to employ these methods. Turtles are equipped with sensory nerves within their shells. They can feel the warm sun on their backs.
Dry Docking
If a turtle’s shell has been damaged, it’s vital to keep it away from the water. It is common for water to contain bacteria or algae that can cause infection to the damaged area. This process is called as “dry docking”.
Dry docking is the term used to describe stopping the turtle from getting submerged in water.
After a shell break, the return to the water can be difficult. It’s dependent on the place the location of the fracture. The principal objective of your turtle’s recuperation period is to recover enough function so that they are able to be able to live and thrive.
Since many turtles need water to hydrate and eat water, fluids could need to be supplied for the turtle throughout the “dry docking” period.
Are Turtles Born with Shells?
Turtles always keep their shells on them!
Yes. Every turtle was born with a shell. Contrary to other reptiles who shed their shells, turtles only have one shell for the duration of their the rest of their lives. The turtle’s shell grows as it develops.
How do you make this shell grow?
There are two elements to the skeleton of a turtle:
- The other is the exoskeleton, which has the dermal bone, which includes the shell.
- The other is the endoskeleton. This is the skeleton’s inner part.
Both skeletons are formed while the turtle is inside the egg before it hatches.
The mother turtle lay her eggs at a very early stage during the growth of an adult turtle.
Once the egg has been laid embryos develop an enveloping structure known as a notochord. While they are developing, structures called somites form too.
The initial signs of the embryo’s development into a shell begin when a ridge develops on the surface of the side. The ridge extends further into the outer part of the carapace. This is known as the carapacial ridge. It is also the time when the bones of the turtle are growing too.
The ribs of their torsos are covered with the carapace that is where the exterior layer of skin is supposed to be.
Contrary to other reptiles, ribs don’t extend into the base of the turtle to safeguard the lungs and the heart. Instead, they are incorporated within the carapace. The top portions of vertebrae bones join with the carapace.
The plastron and carapace are then covered by the keratinous scales.
Turtles possess 50 dermal bone that aren’t located in any vertebrate species apart from Tortoises.
An adult turtle is likely to have 59 bones within the dermal part of their. The majority of them are located on the uppermost layer of the shell and nine are at the bottom.
Growing A Shell
- The mother turtle is the one who lays her eggs during the initial stage of the development of the turtle.
- It develops the noochord and the somites, which will eventually leads to the development of spine.
- The carapacial ridge develops and the embryo appears more like the shape of a turtle.
- Carapace (i.e. the outer shell) increases and the bones begin to form.
- As the carapace expands the plastron, vertebrae, and ribs are also formed.
- The ribs continue growing inside the carapace.
- The ribs are connected to vertebrae. The spinal column is connected to the carapace.
- Then, the scaling covers the carapace, as well as plastron.
Many turtles will place their legs and heads into their shells in order to protect themselves.
Summary
The turtle’s shell is a crucial component in their bodies. It’s an integral part of them, in the same way that the skeleton of us is a component of our bodies. It is comprised of many bones, as well as storage areas for fat, water and waste.
The reason why the shell developed and its purpose is a subject of debate regardless of its historical reason the shell of the modern turtle is essential for it to be able to survive.
Their shells shield vital organs from predators and also contains bones and nerves. Shells are covered with hard scales called scutes. These may be as strong as bone.
If the shell of a turtle is damaged or fractured the damage could lead to death. It is crucial to ensure that the owner understands how important the shell is and why turtles shouldn’t dropped.
What is your most memorable fact concerning turtles’ shells? Tell us via the comment section below.
