{"id":180113,"date":"2022-07-16T08:10:54","date_gmt":"2022-07-16T08:10:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/"},"modified":"2022-07-16T08:10:54","modified_gmt":"2022-07-16T08:10:54","slug":"are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/","title":{"rendered":"Are turtle shells hard or soft?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Are_turtle_shells_hard_or_soft\" title=\"Are turtle shells hard or soft?\">Are turtle shells hard or soft?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#How_would_you_describe_a_turtles_shell\" title=\"How would you describe a turtle&#8217;s shell?\">How would you describe a turtle&#8217;s shell?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Are_turtle_shells_rough\" title=\"Are turtle shells rough?\">Are turtle shells rough?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Are_turtle_shells_solid\" title=\"Are turtle shells solid?\">Are turtle shells solid?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Are_turtle_shells_soft\" title=\"Are turtle shells soft?\">Are turtle shells soft?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Does_turtles_have_hard_shell\" title=\"Does turtles have hard shell?\">Does turtles have hard shell?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Is_the_bottom_of_a_turtle_shell_hard\" title=\"Is the bottom of a turtle shell hard?\">Is the bottom of a turtle shell hard?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#How_do_you_describe_a_sea_turtle_shell\" title=\"How do you describe a sea turtle shell?\">How do you describe a sea turtle shell?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#What_does_the_shell_of_a_turtle_look_like\" title=\"What does the shell of a turtle look like?\">What does the shell of a turtle look like?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#What_do_you_call_the_shell_of_a_turtle\" title=\"What do you call the shell of a turtle?\">What do you call the shell of a turtle?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Why_is_my_turtles_shell_rough\" title=\"Why is my turtles shell rough?\">Why is my turtles shell rough?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Do_turtle_shells_get_soft\" title=\"Do turtle shells get soft?\">Do turtle shells get soft?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Are_turtles_shells_hard\" title=\"Are turtles shells hard?\">Are turtles shells hard?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Are_turtle_shells_flat\" title=\"Are turtle shells flat?\">Are turtle shells flat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Are_turtle_shells_soft_or_hard\" title=\"Are turtle shells soft or hard?\">Are turtle shells soft or hard?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Why_is_my_turtles_shell_so_soft\" title=\"Why is my turtles shell so soft?\">Why is my turtles shell so soft?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Can_turtle_shell_feel\" title=\"Can turtle shell feel?\">Can turtle shell feel?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Are_turtle_shells_delicate\" title=\"Are turtle shells delicate?\">Are turtle shells delicate?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Why_are_turtles_shell_so_hard\" title=\"Why are turtles shell so hard?\">Why are turtles shell so hard?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Do_turtles_have_hard_skin\" title=\"Do turtles have hard skin?\">Do turtles have hard skin?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Do_turtles_have_soft_shells\" title=\"Do turtles have soft shells?\">Do turtles have soft shells?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Is_the_bottom_of_a_turtle_shell_soft\" title=\"Is the bottom of a turtle shell soft?\">Is the bottom of a turtle shell soft?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#Is_a_turtle_shell_hard\" title=\"Is a turtle shell hard?\">Is a turtle shell hard?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#What_is_the_bottom_of_a_turtle_shell\" title=\"What is the bottom of a turtle shell?\">What is the bottom of a turtle shell?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/are-turtle-shells-hard-or-soft\/#How_would_you_describe_a_turtle_shell\" title=\"How would you describe a turtle shell?\">How would you describe a turtle shell?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_turtle_shells_hard_or_soft\"><\/span>Are turtle shells hard or soft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>hard<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_would_you_describe_a_turtles_shell\"><\/span>How would you describe a turtle&#8217;s shell?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A turtle&#8217;s shell is <b>as much a part of its body as our skeleton is to ours. The shell is made of two pieces, the carapace (top) and the plastron (bottom), which are fused together on each side at what&#8217;s called a bridge. The carapace is covered by an outer layer of individual pieces called scoots.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_turtle_shells_rough\"><\/span>Are turtle shells rough?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A turtle shell is <b>extremely hard, and can withstand thousands of pounds worth of pressure. The average turtle shell has a fracture toughness of 36.4MPa m1\/2.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_turtle_shells_solid\"><\/span>Are turtle shells solid?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In turtles, the ribs and vertebrae grow into the outer skin layers and connect together like tectonic plates, forming <b>a solid shell.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_turtle_shells_soft\"><\/span>Are turtle shells soft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Many turtles are born with a shell that is relatively soft. This is completely normal, but you must take extreme caution when holding a young turtle. Most turtles won&#8217;t fully develop their shell until they have been alive for months, if not years.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_turtles_have_hard_shell\"><\/span>Does turtles have hard shell?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>A turtle&#8217;s shell is unique in that it is made up of around 50 bones, with ribs, shoulder bones and vertebrae fused together to form a hard external shell. How it forms today can be observed in a developing turtle embryo. Ribs broaden first followed by the broadening of vertebrae.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_bottom_of_a_turtle_shell_hard\"><\/span>Is the bottom of a turtle shell hard?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Each shell has a top, called a CARAPACE, and a bottom, called a PLAS- TRON. <b>The shell is made up of large, hard scales called SCUTES. Most turtles have 13 scutes on the top shell. The top shell can come in many shapes, colors, and sizes.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_describe_a_sea_turtle_shell\"><\/span>How do you describe a sea turtle shell?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>A Tough Shell<\/b> A sea turtle&#8217;s most noticeable feature is its shell. The top of the shell is called the carapace and the bottom is called the plastron. The carapace and plastron consist of two separate layers. One layer is composed of flattened bone plates that grow between and fuse with the ribs as the turtle grows.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_the_shell_of_a_turtle_look_like\"><\/span>What does the shell of a turtle look like?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>All turtles have a shell. Each shell has a top, called <b>a CARAPACE, and a bottom, called a PLAS- TRON. The shell is made up of large, hard scales called SCUTES.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_do_you_call_the_shell_of_a_turtle\"><\/span>What do you call the shell of a turtle?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A turtle&#8217;s shell is <b>its armor and its ultimate protection from many of the dangers of the world. But when that strong shell is cracked or broken, it leaves the turtle vulnerable to infection, bacteria, and predation by other animals.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_my_turtles_shell_rough\"><\/span>Why is my turtles shell rough?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>hard<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_turtle_shells_get_soft\"><\/span>Do turtle shells get soft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If your turtle&#8217;s shell looks dry, it is most likely due to <b>hard water mineral deposits, retained scutes, or unhealthy humidity levels. Make sure your UV-light bulb is up-to-date and always feed your turtle a nutritious, balanced diet.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_turtles_shells_hard\"><\/span>Are turtles shells hard?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>hard<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_turtle_shells_flat\"><\/span>Are turtle shells flat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A turtle shell is <b>extremely hard, and can withstand thousands of pounds worth of pressure. The average turtle shell has a fracture toughness of 36.4MPa m1\/2.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_turtle_shells_soft_or_hard\"><\/span>Are turtle shells soft or hard?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>All species of sea turtle have a hard shell, or carapace, except for the leatherback sea turtle, which has a soft leathery carapace.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_my_turtles_shell_so_soft\"><\/span>Why is my turtles shell so soft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Keep in mind that a soft shell <b>could be a sign of metabolic bone disease and shell rot. If it is not treated quick enough, it could become fatal. Some of the main causes of soft shell in turtles include calcium deficiency, unbalanced diet, poor lighting, and inadequate basking platforms.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_turtle_shell_feel\"><\/span>Can turtle shell feel?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In short, <b>yes, turtles can feel their shell. This is because their shell does contain nerve endings. However, the nerve endings on their shells are not very sensitive, and generally just transmit vibrations.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_turtle_shells_delicate\"><\/span>Are turtle shells delicate?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>They can feel their shell being stroked, scratched, tapped, or otherwise touched. Tortoise and turtle shells are also <b>sensitive enough to feel pain. use it to absorb This is why your tortoise may love to be stroked or scratched gently on the outside of their shell.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_turtles_shell_so_hard\"><\/span>Why are turtles shell so hard?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>hard<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_turtles_have_hard_skin\"><\/span>Do turtles have hard skin?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The top portion of the turtle&#8217;s shell is covered by square plates called scutes. They add an extra hard layer to the turtle&#8217;s shell, and are <b>made of a material called keratin. Keratin is the same material that fingernails are made of.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_turtles_have_soft_shells\"><\/span>Do turtles have soft shells?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Most turtle shells are made of scutes, or hard, bony plates outside the turtle&#8217;s skin, but the leatherback has mini-plates underneath its thick, leathery skin.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_the_bottom_of_a_turtle_shell_soft\"><\/span>Is the bottom of a turtle shell soft?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Whether the turtle is in a tank or in the wild, strong shells are a must for a healthy turtle. If you notice your turtle&#8217;s shell is soft, your turtle is likely unhealthy and needs attention right away. <b>Most likely, your turtle&#8217;s shell is soft because it has metabolic bone disease<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_turtle_shell_hard\"><\/span>Is a turtle shell hard?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>hard<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_bottom_of_a_turtle_shell\"><\/span>What is the bottom of a turtle shell?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A turtle shell is <b>extremely hard, and can withstand thousands of pounds worth of pressure. The average turtle shell has a fracture toughness of 36.4MPa m1\/2.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_would_you_describe_a_turtle_shell\"><\/span>How would you describe a turtle shell?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A turtle&#8217;s shell is <b>made of bone and cartilage. It consists of a top, which is called a carapace, and a bottom, which is called a plastron. The carapace and the plastron usually join along the sides of the body, creating a rigid skeletal box.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Are turtle shells hard or soft?How would you describe a turtle&#8217;s shell?Are turtle shells rough?Are turtle shells solid?Are turtle shells soft?Does turtles have hard shell?Is the bottom of a turtle shell hard?How do you describe a sea turtle shell?What does the shell of a turtle look like?What do you call the shell&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[622],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-180113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pet-care"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180113"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=180113"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/180113\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=180113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=180113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=180113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}