Can a turtle live without it's shell? If so what would one look like?

Answer 1

The shell is composed of the ribs, spine, and the breast bone. The rest of the skeleton and the internal organs are attached to this. The skin then covers the entire animal.

Removing a turtles shell is about the same as removing your ribcage, most of your spine and a big chunk of your skin.

How well would you live under these conditions?

Answer 2

I don't think a turtle can live without its shell--It's not like in the cartoons where they can just take off their shell like a piece of clothing. The turtle grows with the shell and they are attached to it, so if he didn't have a shell, then it would die.

Answer 3

A turtle can't live without a shell.

Answer 4

No! A turtle's shell is fused to it's skeleton. Removing it's shell would be at best an excruciating death for them, maybe about as fun as getting your face torn off.
I personally am bothered by all the cartoons, etc. that show a turtle remove it's shell like its possible. It is not w/out killing it! It is living and breathing and grows with them, and they can feel sensation in their shell when you touch them.

Answer 5

that is like asking if humans can live without their spines.

shells are a part of the turtles body, infused with their skeletal system, and to remove it would kill the animal.

in short, it would look dead.

Answer 6

the shell is part of the turtle. thats (kind of) like saying, " can you live without skin??"

Answer 7

I like turtle!

Answer 8

i doubt it.
the shell provides protection for the turtle. and i think it grows with the turtle.

Answer 9

Everyone's already given you the details, so here's a short and sweet answer...

No. Soup.

Answer 10

it would die