Understanding Turtles: Why Do Turtles Carry Their Homes on Their Backs? – A Simple Explanation for 10-Year-Olds

Hey there! Let's talk about turtles, especially the slow ones you might know. Have you ever noticed that turtles carry their homes on their backs? That home is called a shell.

Here’s why turtles carry their shells:

• Protection: The shell is like their super strong shield. It keeps them safe from animals that might want to hurt them.
• Part of Their Body: The shell is not something they wear or carry like a backpack. It is actually part of their skeleton (their bones). The turtle’s ribs and spine are attached to the shell, so they can’t get out of it.
• Slow Movement: Because they have this heavy shell, turtles move slowly compared to many other animals. But that’s okay because the shell keeps them safe!

So, the slow turtle isn’t just carrying its home for fun – that shell is its protection and a part of who it is!