# Removing a turtle from it's shell. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 19, 2003, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-turtle-from-its-shell/169716 "2003-04-19T23:15:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CelraySoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@CelraySoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelraySoda)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2003, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-turtle-from-its-shell/169716/1 "2003-04-19T23:15:54Z")
I have a large turtle and it’s days are soon coming to an end due to old age. I would like to keep his shell as a memoriam for his long life on this planet. Anybody know a quick, easy and clean way to remove his body from the shell or should I go to a taxidermist? (I’m a DIY kind of guy). -M ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2003, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-turtle-from-its-shell/169716/2 "2003-04-19T23:21:47Z")
How do you know it’s days are coming to an end? Have you taken him to a vet? Besides helping him/easing his suffereing, he could probably answer your question. ---
**Author:** ![CelraySoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@CelraySoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelraySoda)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-turtle-from-its-shell/169716/3 "2003-04-19T23:26:36Z")
Vet said he’s over 20 years old and he’s not eating as much and a small tumor was removed from his back leg last year. Doctor gave him maybe 3 months. I’ve been giving him his favorite treats lately so he can enjoy his last months. He said Taxidermy but he had the guy’s card on hand, I think he gets a percentage of the business. -M ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2003, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-turtle-from-its-shell/169716/4 "2003-04-19T23:42:54Z")
Found this on cleaning a snapping turtle for the pot. [http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/conmag/1996/jun/jn96john.html](http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/conmag/1996/jun/jn96john.html) > [@](#): > > Cut and remove the plastron or bottom shell and then cut away each leg and the neck from the carapace or shell. > > \< snip \> > > How to Clean a Snapping Turtle > > Slice around the edge of the bottom shell and cut through the joint between the top and bottom shell on each side. > > The bottom shell will lift out like a can lid… There are drawings, too. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2003, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-turtle-from-its-shell/169716/5 "2003-04-19T23:44:33Z")
If this turtle was really your friend for many years, I don’t see how you could go through whatever process is required to save the shell. I think a taxidermists that didn’t know your turtle would be much better. ---
**Author:** ![CelraySoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@CelraySoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CelraySoda)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2003, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-turtle-from-its-shell/169716/6 "2003-04-19T23:52:52Z")
Yeah…just reading that other post made me sick. Taxidermy it is. -M ---
**Author:** ![herman\_and\_bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@herman\_and\_bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/herman_and_bill)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-turtle-from-its-shell/169716/7 "2003-04-20T01:02:23Z")
Well, summjer is about here, why not find a good ant hill? ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-turtle-from-its-shell/169716/8 "2003-04-20T01:36:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by newcrasher \* > \*\*How do you know it’s days are coming to an end? \*\* Well, maybe he’s moving very slowly… ---
**Author:** ![Sock\_Munkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Sock\_Munkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sock_Munkey)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-a-turtle-from-its-shell/169716/9 "2003-04-20T01:37:26Z")
AFAIK carpet beetles are often used to clean the flesh from bones that will be put on display.