When a turtle pulls into it's shell, does it's spine contract, or curve?

Answer 1

The spine of the turtle is made out of bones and bones cannot contract, so it curves. There are two suborders of turtles, Cryptodira and Pleurodira. Pleurodira turtles fold their necks side ways and Cryptodira retract their necks straight back into their shell. Most turtles retract their necks straight back rather then bending it side ways. Since Pleurodira bends it necks sideways, the are often referred to as sidenecks. You can find sidenecks in Australia, Africa and South America. One of the famous sidenecks are the snakenecked turtles of South America and Austrlia with super long necks. Check out these pics:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/world_of_turtles/index-3.html

Answer 2

Wu Gwei is correct. If you look at an X-ray of a turtle with the head pulled in, most turtles would show u[p as a cool little 'S' curve. Others would lie their heads along the side of their shell, etc.

Turtles are perfectly capable of pulling their heads AND tails in at once, and their legs as well (unless they are obese captives, which is pretty common). In this position, they cannot inflate their lungs too much, so they generally don't stay like this for a long time.

Because their shell is a modified spine, rib cage, etc., their anatomy is pretty different. For example- several turtles protect their heads by pulling into the shell, then covering their noses with their elbows while their arms point away with the backs of the arm to the potential threats. Give THAT a try if you think you are flexible enough!

Answer 3

Neither, a turtles shell is its spine. It contracts its muscles in turn pulling its head and tail in. ask next if a turtle can put its head out while its tail is in or vise versa. The answer to this one will amaze you.

Answer 4

None of the above. The shell contain the turtle's spine. Only soft parts are able to retrive and not fully.

Answer 5

ummmm turtles dont pull their heads into their shells. they twist the neck around and hide it under the roof of their shell. well thats what i can remember when i had a long neck turtle when i was 8. but i do know that their shells dont come off and that its not like their house either.

Answer 6

Turtles dont have spines. they have cartilidge. the have long necks. when they pull in, their necks just kinda fold. same with legs

Answer 7

It is like when you stick your head out a window then pull it back in.
That is a very good question actually.
They just seem like rubber.

Answer 8

doesn't have a spine