Turtle and Tortoise Shells

Turtles and tortoises of different species have shells that vary in size, color, and shape but they all have one thing in common - their shells are hard and protective. Sometimes environmental conditions, nutrition, diseases, or trauma can alter the appearance and effectiveness of these shells and knowing more about them can help you determine whether or not your turtle or tortoise is healthy.

Normal Shells

Turtles and tortoises have a carapace (the top or dorsal shell) and a plastron (the bottom or ventral shell), both of which should always be hard (unless it is a hatchling turtle or a species of water turtle that always has a soft shell). Both parts of the shell are connected on the side of the body to protect the turtle's organs and the majority of its body. The turtle shell is made up of visible sections referred to as scutes.

Scutes are made of keratin, similar to fingernails. The scutes cover a layer of epithelium which overlies the bony shell. As the turtle or tortoise grows, the epithelium secretes newer and bigger scutes under the outer scutes. The outer layer of scutes is the oldest. These scutes in some species of water turtles will normally shed off as individual sections as the turtle grows and sheds their skin but the bone underneath the scutes should never be exposed. Land turtles and tortoises do not shed their scutes, but the outer layers are often worn down in species that dig burrows. The turtle's spine and ribs are attached to the carapace shell bones.

Pyramiding

Since turtle shells can vary in appearance from species to species, some tortoises and turtles naturally have peaks to their shells (such as the Indian Star Tortoise) but most species do not.

Pyramiding refers to the abnormal shape that the individual sections (scutes) form in the shape of a pyramid or raised peak. It is usually a husbandry issue and occurs with chronic malnutrition or inappropriate lighting. Wild turtles and tortoises do not get this problem unless some sort of trauma causes the shell to appear to be pyramiding.

Too much of a specific dietary requirement, such as protein, a lack of calcium or Vitamin D in the diet, or no Ultraviolet (UVB) lighting that enables vitamin D production, can all produce pyramids on your turtle's or tortoise's shell. These malformations are completely avoidable by providing appropriate foods, supplements, lighting, and environments for your turtles. These pyramids will remain for the life of your turtle, even after correcting the problems with the appropriate nutrition and husbandry.

Shell Rot

"Rot" is a term that reptile enthusiasts use to refer to an infection somewhere on the body. Shell rot obviously refers to an infection of the shell. Both the carapace and plastron can get shell rot.

Shell rot is usually caused by bacteria growing in dirty environments, such as with dirty water (therefore it is important to know how to keep the water in your aquatic turtle tank clean) or moldy bedding. It occurs when bacteria infect the blood vessels and shell of a turtle and will eventually cause small pits and divots or give it a moth-eaten appearance. Soft spots may start to form or even have areas of bloody discharge. Very bad shell rot will cause entire scutes to fall off, exposing the bone (and nerves) underneath.

Shell rot needs aggressive antibiotics to treat and will take a long time to heal. Contact your exotics veterinarian if you think your turtle has an infection before it causes pain to your turtle.

SCUD

Septicemic cutaneous ulcerative disease (SCUD) is a serious disease that can start as an infection on the shell from some sort of trauma or wound combined with poor husbandry. It will eventually affect the liver and other organs due to the bacteria that enter the bloodstream from the wound on the shell. You should get your turtle or tortoise checked out by an exotics vet if he ever has any wound or trauma.

Shedding

In many species of water turtles, individual scutes should naturally shed off once or twice a year and expose only new scutes underneath. If scutes are falling off and exposing the cream/white bone then there is most likely a serious infection or some sort of trauma that has occurred to the shell. Exposed bone is painful to your turtle and is very serious.

Metabolic Bone Disease

MBD (metabolic bone disease) is a result of your turtle receiving inadequate calcium, Vitamin D, and UVB rays. It causes their bones to lose their calcium and their shells eventually soften or become malformed. It can be easily avoided with proper husbandry and nutrition and often times corrected with therapies.

Keep an Eye on It

All in all, water turtle shells should typically be free of algae, fairly smooth and even, and hard. There are always exceptions to the rules, but if your turtle's or tortoise's shell ever looks strange to you be sure to get him checked out by the vet. Reptiles heal and grow very slowly so it may take years, or may never improve depending on the disease, for the effects of shell damage to disappear if left untreated.