What Are Turtle Shells Made Of? Facts & FAQ

Turtles certainly have an interesting makeup. After all, how many different animals get to carry their homes on their backs? The turtle creates a great mystery when looking at their overall makeup.

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 pieces—the carapace and the plastron. In this article, we will go over all these questions and more.

What Turtle Shells Are Made Of

The carapace is the top portion of the shell, and the plastron is the bottom. Each has its own function, but both are fused together at the seams.

The carapace and plastron are covered by pieces known as scutes that are made of keratin—you might know the stuff. It is exactly what human fingernails are made of. It has a unique composition. Essentially, it is made up of several individual layers.

However, unlike human fingernails, turtle shells have nerve endings and blood supply running through the shell.

Strength of Turtle Shells

Turtles have extremely hard shells that protect them in the wild. A single turtle shell is capable of withstanding thousands of pounds. According to TurtleHolic, the average turtle shell has a fracture toughness of 36.4MPa m1/2.

Can a Turtle Withstand a Bullet?

Don’t get us wrong—a turtle shell is very strong. However, it can’t withstand the momentum and velocity of a bullet. In comparison, a turtle shell is about as tough as your skull—and those certainly aren’t bulletproof.

Do Turtles Leave Their Shell for Another?

It is a common misconception that turtles leave their shell for another as they grow. The shell is a permanent part of the turtle's body, growing along with them.

Do Turtle Shells Have Feelings?

You might think that since a turtle shell is so rigid, it has no feeling. However, turtle shells have a myriad of nerve endings that send sensations to their brain. In fact, many turtles like to be petted or cleaned. When you use bristles on their shells, it is a very pleasurable feeling to them.

Now is a turtle shell as sensitive as its skin? No. Turtle shells are not as sensitive as their skin. However, they can feel vibrations, motion, and other sensations. They don't feel intensely because they need the shell for protection from pain and other stimuli.

Issues With Wounded Shells

Even though a turtle has a very sturdy shell, it isn’t indestructible. This armor can come in handy for basic protection, but predators, falls, and a myriad of other incidents can cause a cracked shell.

Turtles can suffer from cracked or wounded shells. Unfortunately, when a turtle gets this injury, it makes them very susceptible to infection.

Can Turtle Shells Repair from Damage?

Some cracks in the shell can heal on their own without intervention. However, without proper treatment, they are very likely to get infections from bacteria entering the wound. If the infection starts, it can quickly spread throughout the turtle's body.

If the turtle is a pet, it is imperative to seek vet attention to get the proper treatments.

Do Turtle Shells Deteriorate?

Turtle shells take quite a long time to decompose—upwards of 50 years. This is roughly the same time it takes for human bones. Eventually, the scutes fall off, and the shell will slowly decompose.

If you preserve it, it can last much longer, and many folks keep turtle shells for decoration.

Conclusion

So, now you know that turtle shells are comprised of the carapace and plastron. The carapace and plastron have sections called scutes that are made of keratin—the same stuff your fingernails are made of.

Turtle shells are immensely strong and can withstand lots of pressure. However, it can get cracked with enough force.

Featured Image Credit: Belikart, Shutterstock