Is there a shell-free turtle?
When we talk about turtle, we tend to imagine a very low size reptile carrying a backbone. As a result, many people are unaware of the existence of turtles without shells. Nevertheless, there are turtles with the skin whose shell is buried in it. Thus, the shell seems to be absent.
Starting from prehistoric times, the experts discovered a prehistoric turtle without shells called Eutnosauros Africanus which represents the ancestor of the current turtle. Eutnosauros Africanus was a shell -free earth turtle. From this hypothesis, one can understand that the shells of turtles these days have been formed by a transformation process progressive over the years.
The shell is not the only thing that has evolved in turtles. Prehistoric turtles had a long tail and teeth, which is not the case with current turtles. Therefore, can the turtle live without a shell? We help you understand the place of the shell in the life of a turtle.
Turtle without shells: process of evolution of the turtle shell
Even if a prehistoric turtle without shells existed, there are no turtle without shells nowadays. However, there are two different types of turtle shells.
What does a turtle look like with a soft shell or turtle without a shell?
Today there are turtles that have hidden shells Letting believe in the absence of their shell. This is the case for the largest Lute sea turtle, unique representative of the species Dermochelys And part of the dermochelyidae family. It has an inexted and typically different shell from that of other turtles.
It has stretched skin on dermal bones instead of keratinized scales on its shell. So we can say that she has a soft shell and buried under his skin. Considered anonymously as a turtle without shell, here is a photo of a turtle without shell.
Turtle with solid and visible shell
Among the common turtles, their shell is formed directly on the surface from their skeleton. Their shell is formed around their body by the fusion and enlargement of the coasts of the backbone. This is the case with the Hermann terrestrial turtle (Testudo hermanii) which has a Solid shell and strongly bone consisting of keratin.
We can therefore say that this type of turtle has a perceptible external shell at the first glance. Although the shell is soft in some turtles and solid in others, it consists of bones and cartilage in both cases.
However, the thought of a shell -free turtle is only admissible among young turtles. The small turtle without shell exists, because at birth the shell of the turtle is still granular and is transformed over time.
Whether it's turtles with soft shell or turtles with Solid shell, one wonders if these turtles can do without their shells.
Can a shell-free turtle live?
It is important to recall that the turtle shell, just like any other organ, is an integral part of its body. Thinking of detaching the turtle from her shell is a dangerous decision for her. Even if there is the question of if the turtle without shell can live, the answer seems to be obvious.
They cannot survive out of their shells. Turtles are rather capable of fully entering their members and even their bodies in their shell. However, it is essential to know the anatomy of its shell to better understand its operation.
Turtle shell and constituent elements
There Turtle shell generally accounts two major parts: the dorsal part called shell and the ventral part called plastron. These two parts are connected by a set of bone. Inside the shell of a turtle, its vital elements such as the heart, the kidneys are located ... If the turtle shell is withdrawn, the turtle dies. So a turtle without shell cannot survive.
What does the turtle shell look like?
In turtles, the inner part of their shells is generally made up of sixty bones traveled by blood vessels and nerves. When they are present, the Keratinized scales constitute a fine superficial layer and then cover the dermal plates in staggered, which ensures greater rigidity.
Turtle and sensitivity shell
Since being an element of her body, the turtle shell is as sensitive as her head or legs. So, if you touch or break your shell, it will feel it.
Importance of the shell for the turtle
Compared to the human being, the shell represents for the turtle both its skin, its ribs and even its spine. Imagine we remove all these elements from your body, will you survive? Obviously the answer is no.
A turtle without living shell is therefore a unrealizable hypothesis. The turtle shell is therefore a crucial and vital part for its life. The turtle shell is therefore not a simple constitutive element of its organism, but also plays an important role for its survival.
Shell as a protective shield
Made up of a Key shell, the turtle shell is a resistant and powerful structure. Apart from being a simple part of its body, the turtle uses it to protect itself from environmental assaults and the bad weather of the climate. Thus, the more it will be protected thanks to its shell, the more it will live a long time.
Shell as hibernation facilitator
For living turtles in cold areas, their shells help them warm and regulate the temperature of their body. Since the turtle almost never leaves its shell when it is very cold, its shell helps it keep the necessary amount of heat it needs. Despite the aggressiveness of the climate, the turtle can overcome this period thanks to its shell.
Does the shell of turtles grow back?
If the shell of a turtle is injured, it must be taken care very quickly to survive. A broken shell is similar to a notch in humans, so it can be healed. In addition, the turtle shell is made of organic matter allowing it to heal itself quickly.
As soon as the turtle shell is withdrawn, it is impossible for it to push and the turtle will imperatively die.
Conclusion
In short, humanity has experienced turtles without a shell of the millions of years ago. But nowadays, the latter have transformed and there is no longer any turtle without shells. Depending on their species, turtles have shells of different shapes.
In order to know the role of the turtle shell, it is important to understand their anatomy.
