turtle shells

[Kameko]

I've come to find that there is an apparent misconception about turtle shells. That being that the shells don't heal if a notch or cut is made in them. I found this online at the following address - http://theturtlepages.crosswinds.net/anatomy/shell.html :

"The turtle's shell has remarkable ability to regenerate. If part of the shell is injured by predators, fire, or other harm, the undamaged areas will continue to grow and the damage may heal."

"The turtle's shell and skin are sensitive to touch. "

Huh. Learn somethin' new every day. Cool.

[Machias Banshee]

gives backrubs a whole new meaning... :evilgrin:

[Kameko]

Yikes. Maybe this info wasn't such a good idea... :sweatdro:

[Machias Banshee]

just kidding! :D

[Kali]

Though it is interesting. And is good info for fanfics. But I can't imagine their shell would be AS sensitive as their skin, since they've had bullets and such ricochet off it.

[Machias Banshee]

they probably feel just stuff like in general areas. I hear the space between the shell and plastron can be--*ahem*--sensitive to touch...

[Kameko]

:roll: Hoh, boy, this oughta make for some interesting scenarios...

[Machias Banshee]

:lol:

[GreenWillow]

Though it is interesting. And is good info for fanfics. But I can't imagine their shell would be AS sensitive as their skin, since they've had bullets and such ricochet off it.

~Hrm..I can't think of where I've seen them actually have bullets ricochet off...though I could be wrong. Oh wait--- yeah, i've seen Raph's shell get grazed in the Mirage books-- Anyway, that definitely doesn't happen in my fanfic world....heh...
And as for that odd area between the shell and plastron-- real turltles don't have that. The shells fuse there and are only open at the head and tail-- where front and hind feet poke out. The movie turtles look like the shells are fused as well, but not the cartoon and Mirage shells. I think that area between the two would be sort of a liability in combat-- sort of a vulnerable place.
Bad for fighting, maybe not so bad otherwise......
~GW :roll:

[Kameko]

Good point. I hadn't thought of that.

[Tinselcat]

oooh... sensitive turtle shells... i am gonna have fun with this one! *snickers* btw, welcome, greenwillow. love your website!

[Kameko]

:sweatdro: Me an' my big mouth -- er, keyboard...

[Skeletoncrew]

Oh, don't feel too bad about it Kameko. I already knew and I haven't exploited it. Yet.

[GreenWillow]

~Thank you (again!) Tinselcat! I'm seeing quite a few new websites I haven't explored yet now, too....gonna have to do that....

So am I like the only Really Weird Fan Fic Writer who really got into exploring what the TMNT would actually feel, taste, smell like if they were real? I mean, I had so much fun creating that real, tangible 3-dimensional feeling.

Ok....so maybe I'm a little too weird......nothing new about that....
:wink:

~GW

[azure turtle]

I've always wondered what they'd be like if they truly existed... Minus the "taste" part that GW mentioned. :razz: Don't worry, GW. You aren't the only weird one here. Almost every poster has a hint of insanity to 'em. All except me, of course.
*hears people muttering*
Okay fine, so I'm a bit crazy myself. Satisfied? :goofygri:

I remember Leonardo getting hit in the shell with a bullet. I think it was from the short story that Kevin Eastman did for Volume 1 of the collected books. I guess mutant turtles do have feelings on their shells, since Leonardo yelped out in pain.

[Tinselcat]

poor leo... *pats leo on the head* okay, i'm gonna go harass donnie now... and yes, azure, you're just as nuts as everyone else!!

[GreenWillow]

I've always wondered what they'd be like if they truly existed... Minus the "taste" part that GW mentioned. :razz: Don't worry, GW. You aren't the only weird one here.

~Heh heh..kinda figured that. And maybe you don't have to take the "taste" part too literally...but you know what I mean. Like, if I rode on a subway, I'd want to pay attention to all the sights and sounds and smells-- record all the info sensorally (sp?) so I could describe it.

As a result my pet turtle Smiley is no doubt of the opinion that I am truly weird..... heh.......

~GW ("....there's that weird lady who keeps sniffing me....")

[Tinselcat]

if there's a weird lady who sniffs you, you should shriek "you beast!!" and slap her! or hit her with your purse, if you have one. that'd teach her to stick her nose at other people!

[GreenWillow]

~Well, he's a pretty non-violent turtle, actually. :lol:

~GW

[HorseTechie]

And as for that odd area between the shell and plastron-- real turltles don't have that. The shells fuse there and are only open at the head and tail-- where front and hind feet poke out. The movie turtles look like the shells are fused as well, but not the cartoon and Mirage shells. I think that area between the two would be sort of a liability in combat-- sort of a vulnerable place.
No, real turtle DO have that sensitive area between plastron and Carpaces on their sides. My box turtle has it, except it;s like a small sliver. But if you happen to stick a fingernail into it, I'm sure it'll make em flinch!

Just that the TMNT have a bigger chest cavity, so it's stretched out more. But I doubt that area is no more sensitive to them as it is to us. Anyone's gonna be in pain if they got kicked in the ribs or the armpit... or squirm when tickled. :P

(yep, just doing my job to make any topic go back into a boring scientifc one again)

[GreenWillow]

~Well, see? There ya go. And no worries, HT. I'm quite capable of taking this topic rapidly back into that less- than dull scientific arena once again... <ahem> Luckily for you all I have to go to work now.

<blows kisses>

Byee!
~GW :evilgrin:

[Machias Banshee]

*waves* Bye!


As for me, I have Karate and Intro. to Literature...

*disappears in a shower of glitter*

[SeaThreePeeO]

*Appears and chokes on the glitter* *Koff splutter koff*

Hmm my hermann's turtles Carapaces are fused together with their Plastrons at their side.

But saying that I did get the 'shell's a living organ' talk from the breeder who sold them to me. The shell also has to be kept clean to reduce the risk of shell rot. But, Steak and Kidney Pie do not seem to enjoy their once a month bath very much.

*Baby tooth brush and baby shampoo at the ready*

[Machias Banshee]

*returns, visioning Nun cleaning her lil turtles*

aww, that must be a cute sight... :D

[azure turtle]

LOL!! I didn't know you sniffed your turtle, GW! :lol: But I understand what you mean about experiencing things with all your senses. When you mentioned taste, I just had a weird visual of someone quickly licking a mutant turtle's shell and saying something like "Hmm... needs more salt."

Yes, I believe that's proof that I'm just as crazy as everyone else. :goof:

[Machias Banshee]

Aint insanity Grand!?!?!?!

[Kameko]

When you mentioned taste, I just had a weird visual of someone quickly licking a mutant turtle's shell and saying something like "Hmm... needs more salt."


That's kinda disturbing... :goofygri:


Oh, and looky what little tid-bit I found now!

"The shell of the turtle is divided into two parts, the upper carapace and the lower plastron. The two are connected on the sides by the bridge."

[azure turtle]

Hmm... I was always confused on whether the turtles' shells were fused to the plastron on the sides. The cartoon doesn't have that, but the movie and comics do. I guess it's safe to assume that they are fused...

[Kameko]

Wow! You are NOT gonna believe the image I just found!(copy & paste, of course...)

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/1454/pictures/Siamese.jpg

Siamese Turtles!

[azure turtle]

Woah... I've seen a few of those on TV, and they always freak me out a little. It's weird seeing to living beings fused together like that.

[Kameko]

yeah, but I've NEVER seen siamese turtles before!

[SeaThreePeeO]

*returns, visioning Nun cleaning her lil turtles*

aww, that must be a cute sight... :D

You want to see cute? They dash to the front of the tank when they see me at breakfast time. I swear I can almost hear two little voices crying out "Grub, grub!"

[Kameko]

Say it with me now: Awwwwwwwwwwwwww...

[Tinselcat]

AWWWWWWWWWW... (how was that?)

[Machias Banshee]

*takes big breath*

A W W W W W W .....

:D

[Kameko]

:tgrin:

[Tinselcat]

whoa... :o

[Machias Banshee]

:D

[Kameko]

This is starting to get a little weird... :sweatdro:

[Vespera Blaze]

whoa.

techincolour

[azure turtle]

Awwwwwwwww..... Darn! Still can't get the magical rainbow colors to appear! :razz:

[Machias Banshee]

Its a talent....

[SeaThreePeeO]

MAGICAL Rainbow colours?

[Tinselcat]

pretty colors? am i getting pretty colors now?

[Tinselcat]

NOOOOOO! the pretty colors didn't work!!