• Daily reminder that Turtles are not “inside” their shells. They *are* their shells.

• A tortoise/turtle shell contains nerves that connect to its central nervous system.
• So they can feel pain and pleasure when their shells are touched, stroked, knocked, dropped, or injured.

• Contrary to what many people believe the shell is an inseparable part of their anatomy, forming part of its skeletal structure.
• The ribs and spine are fused inside the shell and contain nerves connected to the nervous system.

Take away - be gentle with your tortoise and give their shell a stroke, they will probably enjoy it ?