What is a turtle like without a shell?

Do you want to know what a turtle would be like without its shell? Do you want to know what lies behind this majestic architecture?

We are happy to provide you with answers to all your concerns.

The shell of some turtles is soft and is mistaken for skin, making it appear to be absent. This structure is formed from the fusion of bones, which gives it a hard and resistant character. Behind this structure are hidden the urinary, respiratory, digestive, and circulatory systems, just as on a human scale.

In this article, we will:

• Talk about the first species of turtles that appeared on earth;
• Shedding light on the components of the turtle's shell;
• To shed light on the hidden structure behind this turtle protection;
• Develop the existence of a turtle without a shell.

Let's get to the heart of the matter!

The turtle without a shell already existed

The reptile Eorhynchochelyssinensis is the first turtle species without a shell and also the first to have a beak. As you know, the first turtles, dating back 220 million years, did not have a shell. Based on this fact, it is indeed possible to imagine a turtle without a shell. Because, if the first turtle didn't have a shell, current ones can do without one.

The shellless turtle theory is possible thanks to the discovery of an ancient fossil dating back to antiquity. Indeed, through this study, the Odontochelys, a sea turtle, was discovered to have no shell. Instead, they had ribs on their backs but possessed the same plate under the body as modern turtles.

This shell, which makes the turtle so popular today, turns out to be an evolution of the animal. Moreover, it's not the only thing that seems to have evolved in our turtle friends over time. This species actually had teeth and a long tail, which also differentiate it from the turtles known today.

How is the turtle's shell formed?

The shell is, let us remember, the main characteristic of a turtle that they inherit from the Testudines , a breed of turtle. As said before, the famous protection of the turtle results from a significant evolution of its corpulence. This shell is formed of two parts. The upper part which is the shell and the lower one the plastron.

This structure is covered with a layer of keratin that is arranged in shields. Shell shapes vary from one turtle to another and are often linked to the habitat. The plastron is the fusion of bones that are connected to each other by joints that are movable in some turtle breeds.

The ribs, pelvic and shoulder girdles, and spine together provide rigidity and strength. Its interior is a living organ, formed of around sixty bones carrying nerves and blood vessels. Note that the shells of aquatic turtles are flatter than those of their terrestrial counterparts.

What is this shell made of?

While shells in animals are formed from scales, turtles' shells are derived directly from their skeletons. It is the enlargement and fusion of the ribs that forms this shield around the body of these mammals. Faced with the constraints of this body shield, the entire body was forced to adapt.

The shell, on the other hand, is not very ossified and therefore soft on the side of Carettochelys insculpta , another species of turtle. Also, if the shell is common to all these turtles, its shape varies from one species to another. The three hundred species of turtles that exist are therefore distinguished by the diverse shapes of their shells.

It seems that their shoulder blades are contained within their rib cage, something unique among animals. Eutnosauros africanus, considered the ancestor of today's turtle, did not have a shell per se. However, we note its shortened spine, its enlarged ribs, and its intercostal muscles regressed, as they do today.

What is behind the turtle's architecture?

As we have said, the shell of a turtle is generally formed of a powerful and resistant structure. This allows it to protect itself from temperature and environmental aggressions. Inside this shield , we find the internal organs.

These include : the heart, lungs, trachea, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver; kidneys; bladder, rectum and the Ano, which is the exit of the digestive tract. These organs ensure the proper functioning of the organism of this mammal , just as they do on a human scale.

Choosing a land or aquatic turtle?

Every year, the world celebrates Turtle Day, a day associated with wisdom, prosperity, and longevity. All these traits bestowed upon the turtle demonstrate its unique position in the world of pets. A person who chooses one as a pet will also be associated with these traits, which are sought after by all.

You can see that it will be so majestic to choose it as a companion animal. According to Tatiana Volkova, turtles require proper and competent care and suitable conditions. We recommend land turtles . Because they are the slowest, while water turtles are the most agile and predatory.

What are the conditions that promote the development of your turtle?

The first thing is to choose your tortoise as a pet. But the second thing is to take good care of it so that your friend feels comfortable with you. Indeed, to take good care of a tortoise you need to have a very large enclosure. Well spaced out to allow your companion to live as if it were in wildlife. To be able to successfully achieve this goal, we suggest a few steps to get there:

1. So have an enclosure that is at least three square feet, about ninety centimeters of floor space, and eight inches, about twenty centimeters of length if you have a turtle.

2. Try a terrarium , which is a shallow wooden box that you can buy from a retailer or make yourself. Make sure the box has sides large enough to prevent your pet from climbing out. You can also use a plastic enclosure instead of making a wooden box.

3. Avoid metal cages, as they are not good for turtles although they are good for other reptiles

1. Avoid placing any object inside or on the sides of your crate as this may make it easier for your animal to escape.

2. Add substrate to your cage, as this will humidify your cage and allow your pet to dig

3. Provide a heat lamp as turtles need to stay away from heat sources to stay warm

4. Keep your cage at a good humidity level as turtles thrive in humidity

5. Provide accessories by sheltering your companion because turtles need a place to hide

6. Add climbing objects as turtles love to climb and explore

1. Provide a swimming area as turtles need fresh water for drinking and bathing

2. Put this swimming area in their enclosure as they love spending time in ponds

3. Choose a water container that the turtle can put its entire body in, but not so deep that it can wash its head out of the water.

Through all this you must keep in mind that your pet is like a prince and you must take good care of him.

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So the shell is a very essential structure in the turtle species, even if in some, this majestic garment is confused with the skin, making people believe that it is absent. This physical observation in the ancestor shows that the species has undergone a gradual evolution to be where it is today. During the journey of our enriching and very educational content, you are now an expert on the subject of turtles without shells and you can help your loved ones to understand too.

Thus, it can be concluded that the appearance of the shell is due to the fusion of the ribs after progressive evolution. His studies show that the turtle forms a group related to crocodiles and birds and not vertebrates .

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