What’s in a Turtle Shell?

KOMPAS.com – Turtles can be called the animal that has the most unusual body shape among other animals.

The outside of the turtle’s body is quite simple to understand, namely the body, head, legs, and tail that emerge from the shell.

The most interesting part of the turtle’s body is the shell.

The hard shell becomes a home for the turtle because it can protect it from predators.

Reported from IFL Science, turtles hatch with shells, but according to ZSL London Zoo keeper Daniel Kane, the shells are initially soft.

Also read: At 190 years old, Jonathan breaks the record for being the world’s oldest tortoise

“Turtles that hatch have shells that are quite soft, but these tend to harden in the first few days or weeks of life,” Kane said.

The shell itself has several layers that include bone, living tissue, and cartilage.

The unifying feature for most species (excluding soft-shell bois) is the outer layer of scales made of keratin, the tough, fibrous structural protein that makes up human nails and hair.

Although strong, turtle shells are still sensitive to touch.

As a very important body part, turtles cannot be separated from their shells.

Also read: Revealed, Galapagos Tortoises Live Longer and Live Without Cancer

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