Can a turtle survive without a shell?

While a turtle's shell is an essential part of its anatomy, it cannot survive without it. The shell provides protection, support, and helps with temperature regulation. Removing a turtle's shell would cause severe harm and likely result in the animal's death.
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How long can a turtle live without its shell?

Indeed, a turtle cannot survive without its shell. The turtle's spine is fused directly into the underside of the shell. The ventral portion of the turtle shell also called the plastron, is composed of the ribs and the sternum.
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What happens if a turtle loses its shell?

Many have pondered the age-old question “If a turtle loses his shell, is he naked or homeless?” The scientific answer is that if a turtle loses his shell, he is dead. The shell is so much more than a house a turtle carries with him to provide protection. It is part of his skeleton and his skin.
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Can a turtle regrow its shell?

Its shell is also unique in that it can regenerate. In one reported case, the carapace of a badly burned box turtle completely regenerated.
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What happens if a turtle shell breaks off?

If a turtles shell cracks will it die? It's shell is part of it's skeleton. They cannot detatch from it as seen in many cartoons, it's part of their body. It won't die instantly, but it's chances of survival aren't great.
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Can A Turtle Live Outside Its Shell

Do turtles feel pain when their shell breaks?

If you notice that the shell is broken, it is best not to manipulate the shell pieces. The turtle's shell is bone, and like any other broken bone, shell fractures cause pain.
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Can a turtle heal a cracked shell?

Turtles may need to be euthanized, or need pain medication. And, she added, more often than not, the turtles can go on to be rehabilitated and set free — just like the turtle in the photo shown. Some heal so completely a crack is no longer seen.
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Do turtles feel when you rub their shell?

A: Yes a turtle's shell does have feeling! If you scratch a turtle, he will feel it just as if you were scratching his skin. He can also feel pain through his shell. We've sadly seen many cases where humans have drilled holes in turtles' shells.
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What is under a turtle shell?

Beneath the neural bone is the neural arch which forms the upper half of the encasement for the spinal cord. Below this the rest of the vertebral column. Some species of turtles have some extra bones called mesoplastra, which are located between the carapace and plastron in the bridge area.
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What happens if a turtle is on its back in water?

Most turtles are very skilled at turning themselves over. They can bend their legs back and flip themselves. However, if your turtle is upside down and caught under something in the water, he could drown. Make sure your tank doesn't have any places where he could get wedged in.
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Is a turtle homeless if it loses its shell?

A turtle without a shell is neither naked nor homeless, but dead. A turtle's shell is made of bone and is part of its skeleton. It's the turtle's ribs and spine: it can't be removed without killing the turtle.
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Can turtles live up to 500 years?

Lifespan of Turtles. The average lifespan of a turtle or tortoise is highly dependent on the species. Some species may only live 10 to 20 years in captivity, while others can live up to 150 years. In general, most turtle and tortoise species can live well into their 50s if provided appropriate care.
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Can turtles feel pain?

The shell's top is called the carapace, and the bottom is the plastron. Turtles can feel pressure and pain through their shells, just as you can feel pressure through your fingernails.
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Do turtles like being touched?

Some turtles and tortoises appear to enjoy having their back scratched, and they certainly enjoy treats. Apart from the back scratching perhaps, and some large tortoises seeming to like having their neck scratched, they aren't really fond of being touched, though. Being picked up or cuddled isn't their thing.
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How long can turtles be out of water?

Some species of turtles can survive out of water for several hours or even days, while others can only survive for a short time. For aquatic turtles, such as red-eared sliders, they can typically survive out of water for a few hours as long as they are kept moist and cool.
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What is the average lifespan of a turtle?

A turtle's lifespan depends on the species, but most aquatic species live into their 40s, PetMD reports. Smaller species live only about a quarter of a century, and terrestrial box turtles typically live to 40 or 50 years but can live to be 100.
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Why are turtle shells illegal?

To improve their survival outlook, an international agreement signed by 173 governments, known as CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), declared the trade of these shells illegal.
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What does a turtle look like with no shell?

Originally Answered: What do turtles look like without their shell? They would look dead! Seriously, a turtle's shell is an outgrowth of bone and is a living part of their body. It is not something that can be removed and the turtle survive.
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Are turtles born with their shells?

All turtles and tortoises are born with one shell. They do not shed the shell, though some turtles may shed old scutes as new ones form. Turtles and tortoises can never leave their shells, so they can never change to a new one.
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Do turtles enjoy being held?

Pet turtles do not like to be held and are loners; therefore, they can become boring pets for children. Without this special light, many health issues arise such as metabolic bone disease.
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Where do turtles like being touched?

Turtles will be the most receptive to human interaction when they feel safe and secure, so place them on the floor (preferably tile rather than carpet) when petting them. Pet the top of the head. Gently run your finger on the middle-top of the turtle's head, carefully avoiding the nose/eyes.
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How do you know when a turtle is in pain?

For sea turtles at normal temperature, use the following as reasonable indicators of pain: activity level, utilization of environment, appetite, and mentation. For example, a depressed, inactive, or anorexic turtle is likely in pain. Note that for cold turtles, these indicators are unreliable.
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Do turtles know who their owners are?

Turtles Know Their Owners! Most people don't realize this, but many turtles recognize the sight and sounds of their owners! In fact, many owners comment how their pets swim right up to the water surface to greet them when they walk in the room.
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Can a turtle's shell bleed?

If the turtle is bleeding heavily, you can use some sterile gauze to help stem the flow. You can also wrap the turtle with sterile gauze to help stabilize any broken shell pieces that may be present.
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Can an injured turtle be saved?

Licensed wildlife rehabilitators can often repair shell damage, allowing wounded turtles to live long successful lives, but they also serve a wide range of other species. Learn how to determine if a wounded or orphaned animal needs help.
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