Some Interesting Facts About Turtle Shells

Turtles are defined, protected, described, and hunted for their shells. We’re going to look at some interesting facts about turtle shells as we look at the biology of turtles, including their evolution and how they’ve come to retain much of our curiosity with their slow but long-lived lifestyle. Many people looking for a turtle for sale would be surprised to learn how unique they really are.

Tortoises are found on most continents, including North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as parts of Indonesia, Madagascar, and the Galapagos. They have evolved to live on rocky islands scattered in the middle of the ocean, lush jungles in the Amazon, deserts in Africa, and the frigid steppes of Russia. All this while carrying large, heavy, domed shells made of bone on their backs. Some turtles feed on vegetation and grasses, while others feed on fruit and carrion. Some turtles will even chase small insects and snails as part of their varied diet.

The most obvious part of a turtle is its large, domed and usually brightly colored shell. The turtle shell is a group of bones that meet at visible sutures known as scutes. These bones form the upper and lower half of the shell known as the carapace and plastron. The shell is connected to the turtle’s rib cage and spine and serves to protect these slow-moving animals from predators and the elements. This very device used for protection is what has caused many turtles to disappear as humans hunt and kill them to use their shells.

Many years ago, sailors passing through the Galapagos Islands caused the extinction of some species of giant tortoises by collecting them for food. Turtles were easy to catch and load onto a ship where they would last for months and provide fresh meat for sailors at sea. At the same time, tortoises from Asia and India were collated and slaughtered to use their beautiful shells to make hair combs, spectacle frames, and other elegant ornaments. The use of plastics did much to curb this destruction of turtles, as well as the enactment of numerous protective laws designed to stop the eradication of turtle species. Today, the term tortoise shell is used to describe a mixture of black, brown, and yellow colors commonly seen in radiated and stellate tortoises.

These long-lived, beautiful creatures can spend their entire lives in the same small area or travel long distances in search of food, mates, and territory to make their own. Captive tortoises quickly become a part of the household with their endearing personalities and endless curiosity. You should always do your research first if you are thinking of purchasing a turtle for sale.