Shell Structure

Big Bend sliders (Chrysemys gaigeae) are easily recognizable by their distinctive shell construction, which serves to shield and support the turtle's internal organs. The shell is made up of bone coated in a layer of keratinous material called scutes. It consists of two major parts: the carapace and the plastron.

Big Bend sliders have carapaces that are oval in form and somewhat dome-shaped, which adequately cover the turtle's internal organs. The carapace is an inflexible structure made up of fused bone plates called scutes. These scutes provide camouflage and protection from predators with their different patterns of arrangement, hue, and texture.

Usually paler than the carapace, the flat plastron serves as the bottom shell. This shell protects the turtle's underbelly from the elements and is made of fused scutes. When a turtle moves, its plastron acts as a barrier between its soft tissues and the ground, giving the animal stability and support while also shielding it from danger.

Only the head, limbs, and tail protrude from the turtle's shell, which encloses and protects the rest of its body between the carapace and plastron. The turtle's ability to withdraw its head, limbs, and tail within its shell when it feels threatened is a remarkable defensive mechanism that helps it withstand predators.

The Big Bend slider's shell is more than simply a shell; it's an integral part of the turtle's biology and activity. For instance, calcium is necessary for the health of both bones and shells, and the shell acts as a storage for this mineral. The accumulation of calcium in the scutes aids in the gradual preservation of the shell's strength and integrity.

A turtle's shell helps it regulate its body temperature by absorbing and retaining solar radiation. When a turtle basks, it opens its shell to the sun in order to increase its core temperature and speed up its metabolic rate. On the flip side, the shell's color and shape allow it to reflect or absorb sunlight depending on the inside temperature.