The turtle shell is a shield for the ventral and dorsal parts of turtles (the order Testudines), completely enclosing all the turtle's vital organs and in some cases even the head. [1]

Turtle shells are made of bone and cartilage, but it is the form and function of the shells that make them unique in the animal kingdom. The top part of the shell is called the carapace while the underside is …

Aug 6, 2025 · Turtle shells aren’t just tough—they’re full of secrets. From hidden age clues to wild camouflage tricks, shell patterns can tell us way more than we think.

Apr 30, 2025 · The shell of a turtle covers the outside of the skeleton, growing over the top of a very thin layer of subcutaneous tissue, or skin. It consists of dozens of scale-like plates, called scutes. These …

Nov 10, 2025 · The turtle’s shell is a remarkable structure – essentially a part of the turtle’s skeleton turned inside-out. The carapace (upper shell) and plastron (lower shell) are made of bone and …

Jun 28, 2024 · Sea turtles usually have soft and aerodynamic shells. The shells of land turtles tend to be heavier and very hard, making them much less adapted to facilitate swimming.

Oct 29, 2025 · One of the most apparent reasons a turtle has a shell is to protect them from outside elements. A turtle shell is solid and made of hard material to protect its body from harm.

Mar 26, 2025 · So, you might wonder, what are their shells made of exactly? How do they work to protect the turtle? And do they have any nerve endings or feeling? A turtle shell is comprised of two …

Dec 8, 2025 · Turtles and tortoises have a carapace (the top or dorsal shell) and a plastron (the bottom or ventral shell), both of which should always be hard (unless it is a hatchling turtle or a species of …

Dec 12, 2025 · The broad-shelled river turtle (Chelodina expansa) falls into a group known as side-neck turtles. It can fold its long neck and head inside its shell, over one of its arms.