Final answer:
Turtles can indeed feel their shells, as they have nerve endings that allow them to sense touch. Their shells are a crucial part of their sensory experience and play a role in their response to environmental stimuli.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contrary to some beliefs, turtles can indeed feel when their shell is being touched. A turtle's shell is an integral part of its body and is covered by a special bony or cartilaginous layer that develops from their ribs. Turtles have nerve endings in their shells, so when a turtle shell is touched, they can feel it, which is part of their response to the environment. For example, if a turtle shell is stepped on, it might respond by moving or even snapping due to the sensation it felt.
Turtles are fascinating reptiles characterized by their distinctive shells, which serve as both protection and an aid in sensing their surroundings. With about 300 species alive today, they display a variety of adaptations, including differences in eyes placement that indicate their natural habitat. For instance, aquatic turtles that spend a considerable amount of time underwater have eyes closer to the top of their heads, aiding them in avoiding predators by only exposing a minimal part of their body above water.
Moreover, turtles have incredible night vision owing to their large number of light-sensing cells in their eyes. Their vision, combined with their ability to sense through their shells, makes turtles highly attuned to their environment. Whether they are avoiding predators on land or in water, turtles use their shells not just for protection but also as a sensory organ to navigate and interact with their surroundings.