A Guide to Caring For African Sideneck Turtles As Pets

This article explains the importance of a suitable habitat for this animal in captivity. It provides guidelines regarding the animal’s diet and light exposure. Aside from these general guidelines, you should consider the habitat of this species while keeping it as a pet. Listed below are some essential tips for keeping an African sideneck turtle in captivity. A proper habitat will provide all the basic requirements of a healthy and happy animal.

When caring for an African sideneck turtle, keep in mind that they spend most of their lives in the water, so it’s essential to keep the water temperature between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Adding a submerged heater or lighting system to the tank will help keep the temperature at an appropriate range. Be sure to check the pH level regularly and change the water at least once a week for tank maintenance.

A turtle or tortoise can hide its head and turtles’ neck for protection in one of two ways. Most turtles pull the head straight backwards so that the neck vertebrae curve into a U-shape inside the shell and the neck skin is inverted.

When caring for an African sideneck turtle, remember that the turtle’s diet varies depending on its environment. Young ones need carnivorous snacks, but as they mature, they tend to prefer plant-based diets. This means that a variety of different types of food is necessary to keep them healthy and happy. While some owners feed their animals animal-based proteins, these can introduce parasites, and therefore should not be fed to an African sideneck turtle. Keeping a variety of insects and plants as treats is best.

Arrau and other side-necked turtles belong to the Pelomedusidae family of reptiles. These unusual turtles represent an ancient lineage stretching back to the Cretaceous Period (145.5 million to 65.5 million years ago). Based on the shape of its skull and its number of vertebrae, P. oberndorferi has long been classified as a pleurodire. But when Anquetin and his collaborators modeled the extinct turtle’s vertebrae, and found something puzzling.

These turtles evolved independently of each other on opposite sides of the world. And yet both use their neck retraction abilities not only for protection, but also for hunting. They represent an example of convergent evolution.

Their shell is often a dark brown, and their skin ranges from olive to brown with black markings on the top of their head.

These turtles got their common name because they’re unable to tuck their heads entirely inside their shells, so they tuck them to the side instead which have evolved.

They inhabit freshwater rivers and lakes in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in their wild habitat.

The African sideneck turtle is relatively easy to care for as a pet, but they do require special living conditions. It is best kept as a display animal, but dedicated keepers will enjoy the endless amusement these animals can provide. Aside from a tank with a dedicated aquarium, an African sideneck turtle also requires a small terrestrial area for basking. A detailed animal care sheet will be available once you have chosen an African sideneck turtle.

If you have decided to keep an African sideneck turtle as a pet, make sure you read about the species’ physical needs and habits. These creatures are sensitive and can bite if provoked and make turtle neck retraction, so you need to take care of them carefully. Aside from being a great pet, African sideneck turtles are also dangerous and bite. They carry the salmonella bacteria that can cause illnesses in humans. As such, you should be gentle with them and learn about their care needs before deciding to adopt one.

Care guidelines

If you’re considering getting an African sideneck turtle as a pet, make sure you know the care guidelines for this species. The tank should have a vertical wall, unlike its native habitat. Also, box turtles prefer water temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The water must be clean and filtered through sand or gravel. These pets are known to be very tough, but there are some tips to ensure their health and happiness.

Firstly, the amount of food that you should feed your new pet depends on its age and stage of development. Younger turtles should eat pellets and dry foods, while older turtles can eat wet food. The frequency of feeding will also depend on how active the turtle is. If you have the opportunity, provide some vegetables or fruits. Some turtles will eat fish occasionally. If you’d like to have a pet African sideneck turtle, you can give it a small portion of your favorite dish.

An African sideneck turtle is also known as an African mud turtle. They grow between nine and eleven inches long and are semi-aquatic. They’re diurnal, but prefer freshwater habitats. Their distinctive appearance is also worth mentioning: their large head and leather-like shells make them easy to recognize. These turtles also have two barbels on their lower jaw. Their eyes are big and their mouths are curved.

If you’d like to have an African sideneck turtle as a pet, you should first learn about its diet and the tank that you should keep it in. Aside from plants, they will also eat insects and small fish. The tank should be big enough for your turtle to swim and eat. Aside from their varied diet, they will also eat dandelions, fruit and vegetables. You should keep them in a large aquarium or outdoor pen to avoid predators.

Diet

You should provide a semi-aquatic habitat for your African sideneck turtle. It’s essential to provide an area with a lot of water and some land for it to rest and bask. This will allow it to get adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium. You should also provide a platform high enough to allow the turtle to dry off after basking. A basking platform should be large enough for the turtle and tall enough for it to reach it comfortably.

Parasites can develop in your turtle later on. If you have not tested the water in your tank regularly, you may notice tiny worms floating in the water column. Although most turtles don’t show symptoms, parasites can lead to significant discomfort and can be easily treated. Aside from these parasites, you should also watch for respiratory infections, which can result in difficulty breathing, mucus around the nostrils, and slight inflammation of the mouth tissue.

Despite their tiny size, African sideneck turtles are very social and considered modern turtles. They’re not aggressive toward humans, but they may use their claws and snap their jaws if they feel threatened. You should be aware that some African sideneck turtles can carry salmonella bacteria. With proper care, African sideneck turtles can live as long as 20 years. If you’re considering owning one, you should know how to properly feed them.

When it comes to feeding your African sideneck turtle, you should know what type of food they prefer. African sideneck turtles are not good swimmers and often need to walk up a slope to breathe. Their diet should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables. This way, your turtle will get all of the essential nutrients it needs. In contrast, a fish-only diet may leave your turtle with a lack of important vitamins and minerals. A lack of these nutrients can cause serious health issues.

Light exposure

Care for your pet turtle starts with ensuring proper light exposure for it’s shell. UVB light, along with appropriate lighting, is an essential part of shell care. Turtles from hot environments are best exposed to natural sunlight. The National Aquarium offers information on caring for exotic pets, including African Sideneck Turtles. You can find all the information you need at their website. Keeping a turtle indoors for long periods of time can be dangerous for its health.

Proper UVB lighting is another essential factor in taking care of an African sideneck turtle. UVB lighting provides your pet with Vitamin D3, a vital nutrient for healthy body functioning. A UVB bulb should be installed on the top half of the enclosure, housed in a reflective fixture such as the Arcadia ProT5 or Vivarium Electronics. It should be placed approximately 13-14 inches above the basking platform. UVB bulbs should be replaced every nine months, or when they start to lose their effectiveness.

You should place a full-spectrum UVB light 12 inches above the land portion of the aquarium. Be sure to position it so that the light reaches all corners of the tank. Use a timer to run it every 12 hours and replace the bulb every six months. Humidity is typically an important factor in reptile care, but the African sideneck turtle is relatively low-humidity.

While it is not necessary to provide direct sunlight to the African sideneck turtle, the reptile will not be happy without some indirect light source. You can supplement natural light with artificial light by using UV-B-filters and a light box. To keep your turtle happy, provide an environment that mimics its natural habitat as closely as possible. Make sure your tank is at least sixty to ninety-gallons of water, preferably more.

Parasites

The first step in caring for African Sideneck Turtles as pets is ensuring proper water conditions. The water should be maintained at a constant temperature. The turtles should be provided with a suitable diet and fresh water. Proper water temperature should be monitored and changed regularly to prevent any type of illness. The water should also be changed as necessary. It should also be kept away from small children. Aside from being an attractive pet, African Sideneck Turtles need to be kept in a tank that has adequate lighting and filtration.

You should also feed the African Sideneck Turtle commercially prepared aquatic turtle pellets. You should never feed them meat or other fish. Even though they are omnivorous, you can provide them with additional vitamins and minerals by providing them with pellets made especially for aquatic turtles. African Sideneck Turtles can eat food for fifteen to thirty minutes at a time, so you should ensure they are properly hydrated and get plenty of calcium. Keep in mind that the uneaten food may cause your African Sideneck Turtle to suffer from vitamin A deficiency. The animal may even develop swelling around its eyes or other areas.

If you are considering purchasing African sideneck turtles as pets, be sure to read up on the basics of caring for these reptiles. While most turtles do not tolerate being handled on a regular basis, African sidenecks are a bit different. A reputable breeder should provide you with details about the turtle’s origins and health. A young African sideneck turtle can cost anywhere from $50 to $100. You should also be aware of symptoms of illness, such as flakiness of the shell, difficulty breathing, and lack of appetite.

An important part of caring for an African sideneck turtle is providing a balanced diet and providing consistent day-night schedules. Keeping the habitat similar to the one found in the wild will help you make sure that you’re providing the turtle with the ideal environment. The following is a guide to caring for an African sideneck turtle as a pet. These tips will make your life much easier, and the turtle will thank you for it!

Feeding an African sideneck turtle

If you are planning on keeping an African sideneck turtle as a pet, it is important that you know how to feed it properly. It is a highly active and energetic turtle that is often shy when first introduced to new surroundings. You should avoid handling it too much, as it can become stressed. To avoid this, you should feed it in a separate feeding tank. However, feeding sessions are messy and should be performed only by a professional reptile handler.

An African sideneck turtle has a high metabolic rate, so it is important to feed it a diet that includes plenty of carbohydrates and fat. However, it can be difficult to get these nutrients from a diet based on animal protein alone. Therefore, you must supplement this diet with high-quality plant-based products. African sideneck turtles are tolerant to some levels of wood, so you should choose a turtle-safe wood for your pet’s aquarium. Remember to add a mix of live and artificial plants to give them variety. You also need to provide hiding places for them to rest from predators or from a hostile turtle.

You can buy commercial turtle pellets to feed your turtle. However, you must always be sure to supervise feeding your pet to avoid stress. Aside from worms, African sideneck turtles can also eat fish, plants and insects. To make your pet turtle’s diet more complete, you can buy food pellets that contain vitamins and other essential nutrients. You should not feed your pet with uneaten food as it can lead to a clogged water filter.

Another important tip when feeding an African sideneck turtle is to make sure that you keep their water temperature consistent throughout the day. African sideneck turtles prefer to bask in water, and eating outside the water will only cause mess and stress. To prevent these problems, you can set up a separate area for feeding your pet. Once you have the correct temperature, you can feed it comfortably. If your pet has a high metabolism, they can handle the heat.

Maintaining a consistent day-night schedule

When caring for your turtle, make sure to provide a regular and consistent day-night schedule. Turtles are active creatures and will need sunlight at certain times of the day. A heat lamp is a must to regulate body temperature. You should clean and replace the water regularly, and provide your turtle with suitable food. Remember to clean and change the water as often as you can, and keep the temperature of the tank at a constant range. Keep in mind that too cold or too hot can cause illness in your pet turtle.

When caring for your African sideneck turtle as a pet, you should try to keep its daily schedule consistent. This will help to prevent the animals from becoming overly stressed or irritated. It is best to feed your turtle after feeding it. Never handle the turtle by the limbs, as this may cause them to become stressed. Likewise, exposing the turtle to direct sunlight or sharp decorations can stress your turtle. Lastly, you should provide your turtle with a vitamin A-rich diet to prevent vitamin A deficiency. A lack of vitamin A in your pet’s diet can cause the animals to have problems with their mucus membranes and epidermis. If your turtle does not receive enough vitamin A in its diet, it can develop kidney failure and die.

When caring for your African sideneck turtle as a pet, it’s important to remember that they require dry land, water and large rocks to stand up. Ideally, the enclosure should be at least 75 gallons and contain a metal mesh screen lid. Fill the tank with half or three-fourths water, and make sure the tank has a large flat rock or floating dock. Make sure your turtle does not leave food unattended for more than 30 minutes because it can clog the water filter.

Keeping temperatures consistent is essential when caring for an African sideneck turtle. The temperature in its aquarium should be 80deg F, and in the basking area, it should be 90deg F. You can also use a thermostat to control the temperature. UVB lighting should be set on a 12-hour cycle to provide your turtle with vitamin D and UVB.

Maintaining a habitat that mimics the turtle’s natural habitat

The African sideneck turtle is a fascinating pet for the animal lover. These animals have a unique appearance with a wide, open mouth and large rounded eyes. They also have two small barbels on their lower jaws, which act as sensory organs. Their webbed feet have sharp claws. Aside from its appearance, the African sideneck can live for more than 50 years.

They were formerly common along riverbanks, but people who live near these turtles relish the meat and also collect the eggs and even the hatchlings, a practice that continues even in areas where it is illegal. The females are often captured on traditional nesting beaches on sandy islands amid rivers. Each female digs a hole and deposits 80–200 eggs.

This animal is part of the Pelomedusidae family and is often called an African helmeted turtle or mud turtle. They are known for their strong swimming abilities and excellent eyesight. They also have a keen sense of smell and very good neck mobility making them an excellent pet. Their average lifespan is around 20 years. They eat insects and plants. If cared for properly, African sideneck turtles will live for up to 50 years!

African sideneck turtles should not be introduced to other animals before they have been in captivity. A bad experience with another animal may stress them and make them ill. Aside from insects, African sideneck turtles can also eat foodstuffs from plants, fish, and amphibians. You can also feed your pet pellets containing vitamins and minerals. Make sure your African sideneck turtle is eating the pellets thoroughly. You don’t want to leave any food behind, as uneaten food can lead to water filter clogs.

A Guide to Caring for African Sidenecks as Pets requires only moderate care. These pets are great for beginner reptile owners. Aside from providing a varied diet, owners should consider a calcium block and a vitamin and mineral supplement. They must be fed at least one meal a day, and should be given calcium supplements regularly. This is a good time to learn more about African sideneck turtle care and commit to caring for them.

A turtle’s habitat should be 40 gallons or larger. The water should cover three-quarters of the tank, and the depth should match the turtle’s width. Besides food, the tank should also contain a place to sit under a heat lamp for warming up during winter. Because of their long hibernation periods, the turtle should have an appropriate habitat for both food and exercise.

Providing a balanced diet

To provide a healthy diet for your pet, you should first look at the native habitat of the African sideneck turtle. Its natural habitat contains cork bark slabs, driftwood, and large flat rocks. However, it is not uncommon to find this species with plants in its habitat as well. In order to provide a balanced diet for your African sideneck turtle, you should add a variety of other plant foods.

Keeping your pet on a well-balanced diet is essential, as they do not tolerate regular handling. While African sideneck turtles tolerate handling better than most types, they still don’t tolerate regular handholding. Nevertheless, hand-feeding is a wonderful way to bond with your pet. Tong feeding is a good way to establish a bond between you and your pet turtle.

The diet of your African sideneck turtle should include a variety of different foods, including vegetables and fresh fruits. A young African sideneck turtle needs more protein than an adult turtle, so you can feed him or her meat pieces. Adult African sideneck turtles can eat insects, aquatic insects, and small fish, as well as cooked chicken. Be sure to separate these foods, as mixing them can cause food aggression and feeding frenzies.

The aforementioned species of turtles is a unique animal. This species is known for its subtle sexual dimorphism, and the male sideneck is much smaller than the females. Female African sideneck turtles typically grow to be 8 to 12 inches long, while males are less than half that length. In addition, they don’t need a substrate; a glass bottom is fine.

The African sideneck turtle can cost $50-$100 if purchased young. When purchasing a turtle, be sure to ask where the animal was born and about its health. African sideneck turtles may appear shy and docile at first, but they’ll grow into a confident, outgoing pet. Be sure to check for any signs of illness, such as flakiness on their shell, difficulty breathing, or a lack of appetite.

Do turtles have necks?

Every turtle has 8 cervical vertebrae but those whose torso fold in a horizontal way can remove head from shell. This is the ‘S-necked turtle’ or vertical-necked turtle from the cryptodira suborder.

Why does my turtle’s neck look swollen?

The swelling occurs from exuded fluid that has formed inside the ears that pushes the skin around ear canals. Occasionally this pet turtle has stopped eating or has a little pain. In nearly 90% of all cases aural abscesses occur because of poor farming conditions.

Why does my turtle stretch his neck out of water?

Because turtles’ bodies are not extremely fast, they depend mainly on speed in the neck. Therefore, turtles stretch out their necks to be prepared to hunt. Since turtle necks are designed so that the head can strike and grab the prey the turtle has the flexibility to catch the prey.

How do turtles stretch their necks?

Inside shell, turtle evolution have enormous mass and are suspended by the ribcage. Turtles’necks are either horizontal or vertically shaped. In a turtle’s attempt to pop his head, he folds his neck sideward or stretches the neck up to the side and up.

Are sideneck turtles good pets?

African side-tailed turtle behavior They are fairly simple and make a good pet but can become curious at times and aggressively prone. They may be aggressive with one another mainly when they eat, reproduce in small or dirty habitats.

How big do side neck turtles get?

It is an 8-10″-tall semi-aquatic reptile that occurs throughout Western Africa and central Africa. The turtle mainly resides in fresh water like swamps, marshy areas and rivers.They like the fresh water. African side-neck turtles have long, smooth bodies, semi-webbed feet and 2 small barbels beneath the chins.

Why is it called a Sideneck turtle?

They’re known as sidenecked because they fold their neck horizontally beneath their shell and tuck it in front a leg in a small pocket. It is a significant difference with Cryptodira, another living turtle that lowers the neck to pull the body into the shell vertically to the head.

Do African sideneck turtles need land?

The turtles sidenecks are aquatic, and can swim or rotate underwater. It needs 75-gallon tanks and should have about half full water. Ideally the area needs some land, either in rocky areas or dry docks.

Where are Pleurodira found?

Three families of pleurodires have been found in fresh waters of the Southern Hemisphere.

Are marine turtles Pleurodira?

Order – Testingudines. This order is for the whole tortoise. It has been classified into three suborders: Pleurodira (neck turtles), Cryptodira :

What is a turtle’s neck called?

Typical turtles typically have 38 species in the carapace compared to 16 in Platypus. They have 54 in total. Carapace scutes are classified as marginal – around its margin and vertebra – over vertebra.

What is Cryptodira Dan Pleurodira?

Pleurodira is known as the sidenecked turtles. The name Pleurodira literally means sides neck, while Cryptodira is formally known as a hidden turtle.

Are African sideneck turtle friendly?

African turtle behaviour. They may seem shy initially, but after being comfortable they can be inquisitive, active turtles that can be fascinating.

What size tank does a African sidenecked turtle need?

The sea turtle has an aquatic habitat and can dive and turn underwater. The water must be filled within 30 minutes. It must contain dry soil, either a rock or a dry dock area.

How long do African sideneck turtles live for?

Size and life expectancy, the difference of size is caused by the longer shell bodies in female versus male animals. A typical life span in Africa has a maximum of 20 years. Its lifespan can reach 30 years in wild and can reach 50 years in captivity.

What kind of water does a African sideneck turtle need?

The South African turtles. A brief description of the species.

What is torticollis in the neck?

Can you list the symptoms for torticollia? Torticollis also referred to as wryneck is an eccentric turning in the neck.

Does tortoise have neck?

The tortoise has the longest and wrinkled neck with five vertebrae; the neck is longer than most animals have it. Contrary to most other creatures, tortoise has the ability for the head of a human to be pulled back inside. Imagine bending the head into s-shaped curves back and forth.

Can tortoises break their necks?

No one loves pets that have broken bones but sometimes they will get injured in the pet. This broken or twisted bone is common to any part of the body, including the abdomen, shoulders, backbone, or thighs.

How do you fix tortoise neck?

It’s possible to improve congenital form of wry neck using stretch muscles around your neck. It takes about 3 months from the day it begins. The result is excellent. Surgical treatment may help resolve a medical problem when the treatment fails. The wry neck is usually cured with antibiotics.

Are African sideneck turtles good pets?

They have very low demands and makes a fantastic pet, but they’re very curious and aggressive. They can sometimes be aggressive against each other, mainly if they eat or mating or are buried within habitat.

How big do side-necked turtles get?

A female side-neck turtle has an average width of five to eight inches. Female women sometimes reach 15 inches.

Where do side-necked turtles live?

In today’s world sidenecks exist in the southern part of the hemissphere, including Africa, Madagascar, and Australia. Throughout the Palaeogenes and Neogene periods, some organisms have appeared in sea and estuarinal environments in the northern hemisphere.

How long do side neck turtles live?

Sidenecks are also known under names such as a helmet turtle, marsh terrapion or a WestAfrica mud turtle. This small marine animal is alive in the wild and has a life expectancy between 20 and 25 years, but the life expectancy is doubled in captives.

How long do short neck turtles live for?

If the following rules are followed your turtles will thrive and possibly even breed to your liking. Turtle life expectancy is well known, and the turtles may live 30 to 75 years if their owners maintain their health.

How big do short neck turtles get?

Descriptions. Also known as Macquarie or Murray short-neck turtles, these turtles are approximately 30 cm thick. He has bigger and shorter torsos than females. The chin is surrounded by two flesh-colored hairs.

What can short neck turtles eat?

Your turtle must eat green leafy vegetables like spinach and other green leafy vegetables and whole fish like whitefish (no meat fillet). Replace fish every other week with food containing bloodworms or similar.

What fruit can short neck turtles eat?

** Shortneck turtles are fed a much different diet but can also be accompanied by vegetables and fruits like cabbage, spinach, broccoli, acorns and pumpkins.

What do you do if you find a long neck turtle?

The easiest way to take them out is to keep them near their shells. The Eastern Longneck Turtle is a local animal which has been protected throughout Australia. If there was one nearby or a neighbor’s home there would be none to be left behind.

Why is it called side-necked turtle?

It’s known as “sidenecked” due to folds in their neck in a horizontal fashion under their shell and tuck them into a space near their front legs. In that respect, the two different turtle species differ from Cryptodira, another living turtle that lowers its head vertically and puts the head directly in a shell.

Are snake neck turtles real?

Snakeneck turtles is a group of turtles with sidenecks with necks that can be as short as to slightly longer. They inhabit the waters from Australia to southern New Guinea, with the longest necks in all species on the planet.

How do you set up a tortoise house?

What is the best setup for a Tortoise? It should fit in your room. The right heater and thermostat. The ultraviolet radiation that produces light. A stable material. It is hidden inside a storage area. Food and water bottles. Thermometer

How big is the Zoo Med tortoise house?

38x25x14inchesEnhance your purchases.

What do you put in the bottom of a tortoise enclosure?

Typical indoor substrates for tortoise species are sand and mud, cellulose, and peat moss. Popular chips include pine and orchid bark, cypress mulch and coconut chips. A further example of this is the sphagnum moss that is very soft in the dry.

What do I feed a long neck turtle?

Feed. ** Longneck turtles are carnivorous animals that eat bugs ( moths, crickets, tadpoles and other freshwater species including guppa, and white bait. All salted water products should be rinsed thoroughly and soaked for a minimum of 30 minutes.

How often do long neck turtles eat?

Turtles are fed food when they are swimming and it is also recommended that young turtles are given a food plan every day. Older turtles must have food once per day. It takes turtles weeks to learn new food sources and it is okay to let them go without food and not get hungry.

Can long neck turtles eat meat?

Your turtle has been required to eat whole fish in its normal diet, including whitefish and crustaceas. Often eat very little meat (not minced meat) once a day.

How long does a long neck turtle live for?

If you follow the basics of this guideline, then your turtle should thrive in captive confinement. Turtles are a popular species of tetra whose life expectancy can last between thirty and 75 years depending upon your pet’s health.

How much is a tortoise turtle?

Age – Adult tortoise are typically more expensive than hatchlings because they require more care. Baby prices range anywhere from $50-100. Adults typically cost between 100 and 1000 Euro.

How much do tortoises cost?

Tortoise: according to the species a hatching tortoise costs between $50-1000. It is common practice that if an exotic item is expensive, the higher it is. Aside from species, you must consider the age of the tortoise, the older an animal grows the higher the price.

How much is a tortoise sold?

A tortoise can cost as little as $1 per animal depending on its species and its size. However, the cost is usually between 1110 and 135, says Andy C.

Can you buy a pet tortoise?

How do I purchase my tortoise cat? Many Private Selling Companies also allow customers to purchase tortoise kits together with their pet which can reduce costs for tortoise breeding.

Why do turtles retract their heads?

When a threat is encountered, turtles use elasticity neck and head muscles in an inflatable protective shell. Evolutionary researchers have long assumed turtles developed these tricks to protect against predators, the researchers suggest however the purpose of their original invention was probably nothing but food.

Do all turtles retract their heads?

Several turtle species can retract their head and legs in the shells of their shell as defensive maneuvers. The ability to identify and track a turtle’s skeleton varies depending on the species.

Can tortoises retract their heads?

Instead the animal relies on very powerful neck muscle tissue. The unusual stiff necks allow tortoises to retract their head into the shell.

What is it called when a turtle retracts?

Usually, turtles retract their heads sideways and some pull their heads to a straight angle known as cryptodires.

Can turtles fully retract into their shells?

One of the most impressive acts of turtle is tortoises that can be retracted. But turtles cannot hide the entire body under the backbone. Sea turtles have a hard habit of hiding inside their shells.

Can all turtles retract their heads?

Some turtles are incapable of carrying the head and leg into their shells, but their shell’s protective armor is not as strong. The turtle’s shell consists entirely from flat hard shells.