What is a turtle shell made of? How can they grow larger without breaking it?
A turtle's shell is made of living bone that is covered by hard, overlapping scales called scutes. The scutes are made of keratin, the same material that makes up human fingernails and hair. The shell is divided into two parts: the carapace, or top part, and the plastron, or bottom part.
As a turtle grows, its shell grows with it. The scutes at the edges of the shell overlap each other, and new scutes are added as the turtle grows. This allows the shell to grow larger without breaking.
The shell is an important part of a turtle's anatomy. It protects the turtle from predators, and it also helps the turtle to regulate its body temperature.
Related Questions and Answers:
- What is the difference between a turtle's shell and a tortoise's shell?
- Tortoises have shells that are more domed and have shorter necks than turtles.
- What is the largest turtle shell ever found?
- The largest turtle shell ever found belonged to a leatherback sea turtle and was over 8 feet long.
- What is the smallest turtle shell ever found?
- The smallest turtle shell ever found belonged to a dwarf mud turtle and was less than 1 inch long.
- Can turtles repair their shells if they break?
- Yes, turtles can repair their shells if they break, but it can take a long time.
- What are the scutes on a turtle's shell made of?
- The scutes on a turtle's shell are made of keratin, the same material that makes up human fingernails and hair.
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