Why does a turtle have a shell?

Question

can a turtle take off its shell

Answer 1

nope its stuk wit it protekets if from the rocks under the sea

Answer 2

No, turtles cannot take off their shells.  As they grow, their shell grows bigger with them.

...And eagles have figured out a way to eat turtles:  If the turtle is small enough, they'll pick it up, carry it high in the air, then let it drop.  There was an ancient Greek writer named Aeschylus, who died when an eagle dropped a turtle on his head.

Answer 3

no.......!

Answer 4

for protection

Answer 5

no, a turtle cant take off its shell. its shell is for protection from animals wanting to eat it.

Answer 6

a turtle's shell acts as protective covering.. Like our skin but it's very hard.. It's what evolution gave them to increase their chances of surviving in our harmful environment.. without it their incomplete neither homeless nor naked..turtles live on the ocean.. the water is their home..their not naked because as you can see, hear and read, there is no animal born with clothes.

Answer 7

Almost certainly the original and most widespread role of the turtle shell is protection from predators, something that's especially useful given the slow, careful foraging styles of most turtles. Of course there's lots of diversity among the roughly 260 living species of turtles. Some species that live in water, like the soft-shelled turtle, have flat, leathery, stream-lined shells and are VERY fast moving. Most other turtles have a hard bony shell covered by horn-like material called scutes. A few kinds have hinges on their bottom (plastron) or upper (carapace) shell and muscles that can move the hinged parts, so that the overall box can shut very tightly against an enemy. An eastern box turtle can close its shell so tightly that no part of the animal's skin is visible. Despite their natural protection as "living tanks," some species of New York turtles are now endangered. They must not be removed from the wild. If you find a turtle, notice the shape of its shell and the colors that decorate its skin, then leave it in nature for others to enjoy.

Answer 8

turtles have shells because if a preditor comes at them they obviously cant run away and they dont have that great of teeth or claws so when they get scared they pop into their hard shell so they feel protected

Answer 9

The anotomy of turtle is such that it is a muscular creature, and have almost no bones, even the hard surfaces are skin and the shell is calcium, some what like nail, it is the natural shield and protection device for the creature

Answer 10

Turtles can no more take their shells off than you could remove your ribs and backbone. Both sets of bones are fused into the carapace or upper shell. The sternum forms part of the lower shell or plastron. On top of that, there are dermal bones and scutes made of keratin (like your hair or nails) on top of the dermal bones. In a very few turtles, the shells are reduced -- leatherbacks, soft-shells, and snappers. Other turtles rely on the shell to protect them from predators.

Did you know that turtles are the only animals that have their ribs outside their pectoral and pelvic girdles?

Answer 11

Hi Lola. This is a good question.They have shells because it protects them from animals that could eat them. Their shell is a hard surface that prevents all the animals from eating their soft interior. Also their shell is like a home.