Why Do Turtles Hide In Their Shells? [Surprising Reasons Revealed]
A turtle’s shell is one of its most distinguishable features, separating it from other reptiles. I mean, who hasn’t seen a turtle hiding inside their shells? But have you ever wondered why it does that in the first place?
Turtles hide in their shells to protect them from predators. The shells are hard and very difficult to crack, keeping them safe inside. They have very flexible necks that retract inside. Turtles can also hide in the shells when they are scared.
So, let’s dive deeper into the physiology of a turtle’s shell and how they help them survive in this article.
Why Do Turtles Hide In Their Shells?
Turtles usually hide when they are afraid. This happens when predators are nearby. But there are other reasons why they can do this. This is explained in the section below.
Protection from predators
Turtles hide in their shell primarily to avoid any damage from their predators. As turtles are slow to move from place to place, this is their defense against any attacks. They have a particularly long neck that can be retracted. It is flexible in nature to help in this job.
Turtles can move the neck inside their shells in two ways, depending on the species. Either they turn the neck sideways (Pleurodira) or retract it straight (Cryptodira).
Their shells are very hard and resistant to scratches from a predator’s sharp nails. Turtles remain hidden in the shell as long as the predator is around. They emerge once they determine it is safe on the outside.
Catching prey during hunting
Some scientists believe that turtles don’t hide only to remain safe from predation. They had a theory that they use flexible necks to catch the prey in surprise.
To test this, a fossil of an old turtle was analyzed. Scientists compared its bone structure to that of a turtle that is in existence now. They found that its neck has a similar structure to that of a Pleurodira species.
Turtles developed this feature as part of their evolution to hunt for food. They would keep the neck inside the shell, waiting for the right time to attack. The sharp jaws help them grab the prey as they lunge the neck forward.
Turtles also hide their neck during hunting. They catch the prey in surprise as they emerge suddenly from the shells. This trick is used to catch small insects and frogs which frogs eat.
Protection from harsh weather
Turtles, similar to frogs, remain inactive during the cold season. They don’t hibernate but instead do something called brumation. They go into the soft mud in water or go underneath the soil. Then, they hide in their shells until the weather becomes favorable to them.
During this time, they use up the food stored in their body. The shells regulate the body temperature, ensuring it does not get too low. It also cuts down on energy loss from the turtle’s body. All this is done to make sure the turtle can survive the winter season.
So, you can say that turtles hide in shells for both their food and protection against predation.
How Does A Turtle’s Shell Help Them Hide?
A turtle’s shell has two parts. The upper part is known as the carapace, and the lower part is called the plastron. Both these are connected to a turtle’s spine and vertebra. The shell itself is very hard thanks to scutes, which are made from the same material as our fingernails. It is resistant to the sharp claws of animals.
The insides of the shell contain bones and tissues and have some space. When the turtle senses any danger, it can move those bones and contract the muscles present in the shell. That makes enough space for the neck and its limbs to retract inside. Then, the two layers of the shell contract, sealing the soft, muscular parts of its body inside it.
Predators are unable to get inside the shell and leave the turtle. Once the coast is clear, the turtle would emerge and go about its business.
Do All Turtles Hide In Their Shells?
Most turtles living in the land can retract their neck and limbs inside their shells. The Snapping turtle, red-eared slider turtle, mud, and box turtles all have this ability. But not every species will completely close their shells off.
For example, the box turtle can hide inside its shell, but there is a small gap that remains between the upper and lower parts. However, it is very narrow, and predators are unable to reach the neck from here.
But mud turtles are an exception to this. They can completely seal off the shell from the inside. Then, there is no way anyone can tell if there is a turtle inside it.
Sea turtles, however, cannot go inside their shells. The necks are not flexible enough to retract inside the shells. They are placed in a fixed position.
Why Can Sea Turtles Not Hide In Their Shells?
Sea Turtles cannot hide in their shells because their body is not adapted for that. They have large flippers, which help them swim faster. These are too big to fit inside the shells.
Another problem is their shells have less hump than the land turtles. This is a natural adaptation that helps streamline their motion, and as a result, they move faster in water.
Land turtles hide in their shells as part of their defense mechanism. But for sea turtles, swimming at a high speed is their form of response against any threat. So, their bodies are adapted accordingly, and they require hiding in the shells.
Can Tortoises Hide In Their Shells?
Yes, Tortoises can hide in their shells. They are essentially from the same family as turtles. The only difference is that a tortoise is adapted to live on land, while a turtle will live mostly on water.
Tortoises have large limbs that are shaped like feet. These help them walk along any surface. While they are considerably larger in shape, they can partially go inside the shell. The shell may not close off entirely like a mud turtle, but its neck remains far enough from the reach of its prey.
Tortoises are usually very slow to move around. But the moment they sense any danger, they will immediately retract their neck inside the shell.
Final Words
A turtle’s shell is big and heavy. Being strong and sturdy has its perks, as it acts as a protective shield against any attacks. This also helps the turtles when they are hunting small insects and animals.
But do not go about hurting a turtle’s shell. Even though it looks strong, it can break and expose the turtle’s internal organs. That can be life-threatening for a turtle and cause a lot of pain.