Can either of these creatures live outside of their shells?
No; the shell isn’t just something they wear; it’s part of their body, and although they do have an internal skeleton, much of it (and crucially, the spinal column) is fused to the shell
http://a-s.clayton.edu/biology/biol3650l/skeletal/turtle/turtle-ventral.jpg
They are NOT hermit crabs.
Can any other animal live long, if at all, skinned alive?
Well I guess that’s put me in my place :smack:
There are nicer ways to fight ignorance. You don’t have to be nasty about it.
They are NOT chipmunks, dammit.
Can any other animal live long, if at all, squashed on the road?
Well? Can they?
I’m waiting!
The carapace (upper shell) is fused to the vertebrae and ribs. Both the carapace and plastron (lower shell) are attached to the limb girdles (which, uniquely, are positioned inside the trunk skeleton). All of which makes removing the shell impossible without killing the animal, as noted.
A tapeworm?
Hey come to think of it they make perfect pets.
Go where you go, eat what you eat and no hefty veterinary bills.
I gonna get me a tapeworm …yessir
I blame Looney Tunes for any impression to the contrary.
More on turtle anatomy and physiology can be found in Cecil’s column Is it true turtles breathe through their butts?, which I assisted him with.
Many strange ideas people have about science can probably be laid at the feet of Robert Clampett and Chuck Jones.
Now you are going to tell me that penguin tears don’t turn to ice cubes…
Or that they don’t always wear bowties.
Hmm… my interpretation of the quote marks in that article hint at more than mere “assistance.” 