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The turtle shell is a shield for the ventral and dorsal parts of turtles (the order Testudines), completely enclosing all the vital organs of the turtle and in some cases even the head. [1] It is constructed of modified bony elements such as the ribs, parts of the pelvis and other bones found in most reptiles.
One of the most striking features of turtles, both modern and prehistoric alike, are their dorsal shells, forming an armored carapace over the body of the animal. Odontochelys only possessed the bottom portion of a turtle's armor, the plastron. It did not yet have a solid carapace as most other turtles do.
The bottom shell is plain yellow or lightly spotted. Sometimes as few as one dark grey spot near the lower center of the shell. [24] The midland painted turtle (C. p. marginata) is 10–25 cm (4–10 in) long. [25] The centrally located midland is the hardest to distinguish from the other three subspecies. [23]
The turtle’s shell is made of bone – or more accurately bones. At least 50 bones make up the shell, which consists of the domed carapace at the top, and a flatter plastron covering the belly ...
Aquatic turtles have flatter, smoother shells that allow them to cut through the water. Sea turtles in particular have streamlined shells that reduce drag and increase stability in the open ocean. Some turtle species have pointy or spiked shells that provide extra protection from predators and camouflage against the leafy ground. The lumps of a ...
Box turtles require an enclosed outdoor location, consistent sun exposure and a varied diet. Without this, a turtle's growth can be stunted and its immune system weakened. Finding box turtles in the wild and taking them as pets, even for a short period, can have detrimental effects. Box turtles want to stay within the area where they were hatched.
Turtle diets also require a large amount of fresh greens and vegetables and even some fruit. Health problem s include calcium deficiency caused by lack of sunlight and poor diet, as well as issues ...
The carapace (upper shell) is typically brown and black, often with yellow stripes. The skin is olive green with prominent patches of yellow down the neck and legs. As the name implies, the plastron (bottom shell) is mostly yellow with black spots along the edges. Adults tend to grow darker as they age.