2007-06-13 13:53:23 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
THe same way we do, the shell is its skeleton
2007-06-13 14:19:13 · answer #1 · answered by kat 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A turtle's shell is several layers of interconnected materials. The base layer is bone, then connective tissue, then 'scutes'- the outer scales.
The bones grow both in length and width to form the foundation of the shell, and the scutes add growth rings as the turtle grows. The rings are not added every year, and if the turtles grew at an exactly equal rate at all times, the scutes would be smooth.
By adding rings, each scute gets bigger, slowly. The connective tissues keep each scute attached to its neighbor and ot the gorwoing bone underneath.
2007-06-13 21:19:20 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The turtle shell is just bone on the outside of the turtles body. It still has blood vessels in it and it is attached to their bodies. It grows just like our bones grow.
2007-06-13 22:00:53 · answer #3 · answered by stingra385 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basicly, a turtle shell is a dome of bone plates fused together with a thin layer of karatin (Spelling?) on top of that. (in case you are wondering about that, your fingernails are made of the same stuff) Just like how your fingernails and bones grow, the shell grows as well. Thats as simple as I can make this LOL!
2007-06-13 21:55:17 · answer #4 · answered by codeylol 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Once every few months, the turtle sheds its shell plates, also known as scutes. The new shell is underneath.
2007-06-13 21:27:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
scales fall of and larger ones grow in
2007-06-13 21:58:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋