Did you know that a turtle’s shell is also made of bones?
Little-Known Facts About Turtles
1. A turtle’s shell is actually made up of 50 different bones.
On the outside, a turtle’s shell looks like a solid shield, but inside it is made up of many fused bones, forming a combination of ribs and the spine.
2. In fact, this shell resembles the rib cage of the turtle, but it is exposed rather than hidden beneath the skin.
3. Unlike most shelled animals, turtles cannot survive if they leave their shells.
4. When a turtle retracts its neck into its shell, its spine curls up in an S-shape as illustrated below:
5. Some turtle shells have a joint that acts like a hinge, allowing turtles to tightly close their shells after retracting their bodies.
6. Although they appear quite solid, turtle shells are not completely protective armor.
Turtle shells contain nerve endings and blood vessels, so if a shell is damaged, the turtle can bleed and experience pain.
7. In 1968, a pair of tortoises in Russia became the first animals to fly into space.
“The experiment with turtles demonstrated that living organisms could travel to the Moon without harm, aside from a little weight loss. The journey of these two turtles paved the way for future lunar explorations,” reported Calvert Journal.
8. Turtles can also become dangerous predators.
One of the most aggressive turtle species is the Alligator Snapping Turtle. An adult Alligator Snapping Turtle can reach up to 76 cm in length, weigh 90 kg, and has an incredibly strong jaw, a sharp hook-shaped beak, claw-like limbs, and a muscular tail. They often lure prey, sometimes even other turtle species, by wiggling their tails to mimic a worm, enticing their catch into a trap.
9. Turtles do not have vocal cords, but they can still make sounds.
Most sounds made by turtles are hisses; however, their vocalizations can be categorized into about six different types, each corresponding to a specific behavior. They can produce sounds by extending their heads out to force air out of their lungs.
10. Female turtles’ reproductive organs are hidden inside their cloaca, which serves as both a reproductive and excretory opening.
11. In some turtle species, the cloaca is covered by a thin membrane. Gas exchange can occur through this membrane when the turtle is submerged, allowing oxygen to reach the blood while underwater.
12. Some turtle species can live over 100 years, including the American Box Turtle.
13. Turtles are not as slow as many people think.
“They are herbivores, so they do not need to chase prey. Turtles have thick shells, so most predators won’t bother with them. Therefore, they do not need to hunt or escape from other predators, which is why there is no reason to force them to be quick,” explains Doctor Science. However, you might be surprised at how agile they can be when they encounter danger.
