The majority of individuals will undoubtedly agree that the turtle’s shell is the unique element of its body. People have shown much interest in turtles, their functions, origins, and shells.
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The majority of individuals will undoubtedly agree that the turtle’s shell is the unique element of its body. People have shown much interest in turtles, their functions, origins, and shells.
You will be surprised to learn that there are 360 recently extinct and living turtles across the globe. But now, the main question here is, “Can turtles feel their shell?”
Can Turtles Feel Their Shell?
In short, yes, they do. Turtles can surely feel their shell because the shell contains nerve endings. But the nerve endings on their shells are not that sensitive, so they will only transmit vibrations.
A turtle’s shell is similar to human fingernails and the material that makes up the horn in specific animals.
But the sensitivity of these shells is pretty similar to the human’s fingernails. You might feel someone touching the fingernail, but it’s not that sensitive.
The Nerve Endings Of A Turtle’s Shell: Explained
A sharp and strong impact on the shell will hurt the turtle. It’s because the nerves located at the exterior part will transmit vibrations to the nerves present on the inside of the shell.
The nerves present on the inside of the shell are much more sensitive than the ones on the outside. So, if the shell cracks, it will be painful for the turtle. The pain is similar when a person breaks his/her arm.
But that doesn’t mean all turtles are the same. For instance, “The shell of the Leatherback Sea Turtles is much stronger than the shells of the land turtles.”
It’s mainly because the Leatherback Sea Turtle can dive deep into the ocean, up to 2500 feet, to look for food. So, their shells must be extremely strong to withstand the water pressure at the depths.
Even though the shells of sea turtles are much more potent but are a lot more sensitive than land turtles. Why is that? Well, sea turtles have thin layers of skin at the exterior part of the shell.
This makes their shell much more flexible, allowing them to swim through all the smaller areas easily.
Turtle Shell: What Exactly Is It Made Of?
The turtle shell has two parts, which are:
- Carapace: The upper part of the Turtle’s shell.
- Plastron: The lower part of the Turtle’s shell.
Made entirely from bone plates, the Plastron and Carapace are also covered by a keratin layer. The shell also has two layers of keratin.
The exterior layer is known as the Epithelium, and the interior layer is called the Dermis. In the Dermis, you will find both the blood vessels and nerves located.
The muscle holds the entire hell together. The Carapace, on the other hand, is made out of around 50 plates, and the Plastron is created from 30 plates.
Besides that, all the plates are arranged in the form of concentric rings. The number of rings will differ depending on the turtle species.
The shell also protects the internal organs of the turtle and also enables the turtle to float correctly. The shell also acts in the form of storage space for calcium. Also, the turtle shell comes in various shades, and the patterns on the shell help identify the turtle species.
In addition, you will also find their nervous system stored in their shell. The Carapace nerve endings are linked to the brain.
These nerves enable the turtle to feel the pressure and touch. The Plastron, on the other hand, also has nerve endings.
But these nerve endings do not develop like those found in the Carapace. Turtles can undoubtedly feel pain when their shells get damaged or hit. But they don’t feel the same type of sensation compared to humans.
Do Turtles Experience Issues On Their Shells?
In short, they do. Just like dogs and cats, who can easily develop certain skin-related issues, turtles can easily experience building problems on the shell, which causes them suffering.
They can get fungal or bacterial infections or might develop a deformed shape, which can lead to cracked shells. But there are some symptoms that prove the turtle is in danger. These symptoms are:
- Blood from a crack or break
- A strong odor
- A slimy coating
- Irregular flaking of the scutes
- Weird shades, such as red
- Visible breaks on the shell
- Spots
If you have a pet turtle and notice these symptoms, be sure to take it to the vet without delay. Also, turtles can injure their shells due to various reasons.
Accidental hits to improper care can certainly damage the turtle’s shell. Furthermore, an unclean environment, improper diet, and lack of calcium can also lead to shell damage.
When all the symptoms/signs are visible, you should opt for the correct and effective treatment and diagnosis.
Will The Turtle Get Hurt When Their Shell Gets Carved?
People cannot visualize the expressions of pain in turtles when compared to other animals, but they do suffer a lot when they’re hurt.
Just like their sensitivity enables them to feel caresses right through their shells, they will certainly feel a lot of pain when they injure or hurt a crucial part of the body.
When you carve the turtle’s shell, you might think they’re not feeling the pain. But you’re so wrong. Even when you move, the turtle of all sudden can easily generate pain.
Just imagine when they get a cut, they will surely do a lot. Just human beings and other animals, turtles, are living creatures. That’s why it’s vital to have consideration and respect for all species and provide them with the best care and support.
Reasons Why The Turtles Have Patterns On Their Shells
There are two crucial reasons why all turtles have patterns on their shells. They are:
- 1st Reason: The patterns on the shell help the turtle to camouflage from all the predators so that they don’t get attacked or eaten by them.
- 2nd Reason: The patterns found in the turtle’s shell help them attract mates. These patterns can help the turtle become a lot more attractive to the opposite sex.
Besides that, the patterns found on the turtle’s shell help all the scientists to identify all the various types of turtle species. It will also enable the scientists to figure out whether the turtle is female or male.
Male turtles have brighter patterns and shades on their shells when compared to females.
Scrubbing And Rubbing The Shell: Do The Turtles Like It?
There are some conflicting opinions on whether or not turtles like to have their shell rubbed. It’s mainly because different turtles will have different preferences.
Many of the turtles do like to have their shells rubbed, but others like to have their shells scrubbed.
But most turtles enjoy it when their shells get scratched or rubbed, especially when it makes them feel good.
Scratching or rubbing their shell also makes them feel secure and relaxed at the same time. Besides that, it helps eliminate all the debris or dirt off their shells that might be stuck on their shells.
This will keep the turtle clean and also prevent any unwanted damage or infections from forming on the shell.
Shell Makes the Turtle A Unique Living Creature
Turtles are creatures that have rough exteriors but are pretty sensitive creatures. The thing that pushes them to stand out is their shell.
The shell has nerves that run throughout the entire shell. These nerves help the turtle to feel both the pressure and touch. The shell also works as a protector of the internal organs and also comes in various patterns and shades.
If you have a pet turtle, make sure to clean its shell correctly so that it doesn’t accumulate debris or dirt on it. This way, it will keep the turtle healthy both inside and out.
