In conclusion, turtles hide in their shells for various reasons . In addition to that, turtles also retreat into its shell to shy away or when it’s fighting a life-threatening illness.
Why do turtles hide in their shells?
For a turtle, hiding in its shell is much alike us staying at home. Generally, turtles have been known to hide in their shells as a way to avoid predatory attacks . However, recent research has proven that turtles also retract into their shell as a means of hunting for food.
You could be asking “How did turtles get their shells?”
A few years ago there were two big theories about how turtles got their shells. The first one suggested that the earliest turtles didn’t have shells, but instead, they had something similar to the scutes of modern turtles on their backs.
Moreover, why do turtles have shells for kids?
Turtles have shells because they found a really good way to protect their insides . They started out as big rib bones and grew from there. The big, heavy armor they carry around makes them slow, but you don’t need to be fast when you basically have a tank surrounding you – just ask Shredder!
The plates covering the shell of land turtles are known as scutes. Over time, these scutes grow, overlap, and may even shed off. However, only turtle scutes shed and not the shell itself.
Not all turtles can completely retract their head and limbs into their shells. It depends on the species, the structure of its shell, and environmental conditions. Most tortoises and land turtles fully withdraw into their shells. When the animal conceals itself, only the shell is usually visible.
Different kinds of turtles do this in different ways. Some fold their necks up and to the side. Other turtles fold their neck into an S position. Some turtles cannot retract inside the shell entirely but may be able to fold their legs and heads to feel more protected .
Do turtles have shells when they are born?
Yes, all turtles and tortoises are born with their shells. The shells of the newborn turtles work as their armor to protect themselves from other predatory animals. When they are born, it’s soft; they harden as they grow .
Unlike a few other animals, turtles are not capable of molting and growing new shells as they grow and mature . The turtle’s shell is part of its exoskeleton, and thus it grows with it as the turtle matures. The shell grows proportionally with the whole skeletal system.
One idea is that the turtle grows with the same shell instead of growing a new one . It becomes an integral part of the turtle, and it’s impossible to detach it without hurting them in the process. The cover is also the exoskeleton, meaning that it must grow alongside other bones in the turtle’s body.
Turtles are not livebearers. Female turtles lay eggs , but the eggshells are tough to crack. So, the hatchlings are born with an egg tooth. This tooth is also known as a caruncle. It is very sharp. The hatchlings use this tooth to break open the eggshell and come out of it.
How do turtles protect themselves from predators?
Even the streamlined shells of sea turtles have the advantage of strong armor to avoid getting a predator sinking its teeth into the shell. For centuries, turtles have managed to successfully elude predators by retracting their limbs and heads into the shell to hide. So much so that today, a fully grown turtle has no natural predator.
What are some interesting facts about turtles?
Turtles are interesting animals as they are quite different from other quadrupeds such as mammals or reptiles because their shells are a unique feature.
Why should you take your kids to see sea turtles?
It could also be an excellent opportunity for teaching awareness of endangered species such as the hawksbill sea turtle – being environmentally friendly, is a great concept to explore with your kids. On a lighter note, we all know there’s just something so adorable about turtles, and watching them with the kids is sure to make you giggle .