Turtles Can’t Live Without Their Shells

We can’t bask in the humor of turtle memes without diving into some fun trivia! One fact that many people find shocking is that turtles can’t live without their shells.

According to NC State University, a turtle’s shell is critical for survival and functions similarly to a human spine (1). The shell is made of bone and keratin, the same substance found in human nails and hair.

Additionally, the shell acts as a protective barrier, shielding turtles from extreme weather, predators, and sun exposure. A damaged shell can lead to infections or even death.

Another interesting fact is that turtles can't leave their shells, contrary to what is often portrayed in cartoons and movies. The shell is part of their skeletal system, making it impossible for them to exit it voluntarily. According to the National Wildlife Federation, the closest example is the softshell turtle, which appears to have no hard shell (2).

“Turtles All The Way Down”

“Turtles All the Way Down” is a metaphor often used to describe the problem of infinite regression. It originates from the mythological concept of the “World Turtle,” which is believed to carry the flat Earth on its back. The phrase is widely used in popular culture to illustrate the notion of endless explanations without a conclusive answer (Screen Rant, 2024) (3).

Most recently, this metaphor was popularized in a movie based on John Green’s novel of the same name. Released on Max, the “Turtles All the Way Down” stars Isabela Merced, Felix Mallard, and Cree Cicchino. The plot centers around 16-year-old Aza (Merced), who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and explores themes of friendship, mental illness, and love (4).

Why Are Plastic Straws Harmful to Turtles?

As the world shifts away from plastic straws toward eco-friendly alternatives, many people are still unaware of the severe impact plastic straws have on endangered sea creatures, especially sea turtles.

2015, a viral YouTube video titled “Sea Turtle with Straw up its Nostril — ’ NO' TO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC” surfaced (5). The video shows a sea turtle in distress with a plastic straw stuck in its nose. This video sparked a global movement to reduce plastic straw use and led to the #StopSucking campaign (6).

Sea turtles often mistake plastic debris for food, which can cause internal injuries and digestive blockages. Plastic straws, though a small part of the larger pollution problem, pose a significant risk to baby turtles, sometimes causing nasal damage that makes them more susceptible to drowning (WWF, 2021) (6).

Although the use of plastic straws is just a fraction of the overall pollution issue, their lightweight nature, brief lifespan, and careless disposal make them a critical environmental problem that needs urgent attention.

References

1. “Turtle Anatomy and Physiology.” NC State University. | https://turtleallyprogram.wordpress.ncsu.edu/access-modules/turtle-anatomy-and-physiology/
2. “Spiny Softshell Turtle.” National Wildlife Federation. | https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Reptiles/Spiny-Softshell-Turtle
3. Kate Bove. "What Does Turtles All The Way Down Mean? John Green Movie Title Explained." Screen Rant, 2024. |  https://screenrant.com/turtles-all-the-way-down-movie-title-meaning-explained/#:~:text=The%20phrase%20%22turtles%20all%20the%20way%20down%22%20expresses%20the%20problem,via%20Stanford%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Philosophy)
4. Turtles All the Way Down. IMDb. | https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7737224/
5. Sea Turtle Biologist. “Sea Turtle with Straw up its Nostril - 'NO' TO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC.” YouTube, 2015. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wH878t78bw
6. “PLASTIC POLLUTION IS KILLING SEA TURTLES: HERE'S HOW." WWF, 2021. | https://wwf.org.au/blogs/plastic-pollution-is-killing-sea-turtles-heres-how/