The Unique Appearance of Turtles Without Their Shells
Turtles are beloved creatures known for their hard, scaly outer shell. But what do turtles look like without their shells? As it turns out, they have just as interesting an appearance as they do with their shells.
The Body
Without its shell, a turtle has a unique and intricate body structure:
- Back: The backdrop of a turtle’s body is atop of its rib cage, which is adorned with lighter scales called scutes
- Head: Turtles have streamlined heads that are speckled with scales, while sharp claws take up the space at their pointy tips
- Neck: Most turtles have long necks that can fold back into their shells
- Limbs: All turtles have four long limbs, with front limbs having palms and fingers, and back limbs resembling small flippers
- Tail: Turtles will have a small, pointed tail that is usually soft and pliable
The Skin
The skin of turtles without shells is usually thin, smooth and supple. On the turtle’s back, these thin scales overlap each other, giving it a sheen and texture. Depending on species, the colors of a turtle’s skin can range from shades of brown and green to patterned swirls and blues.
Though they take on a less remarkable form without their prominent shells, turtles are just as majestic and unique without them!
