It is not new to preserve turtle shells. This has been done for many different reasons by humans for hundreds of years. People in China kept them for their medicinal value. Ancient humans created jewelry, bow parts and musical instruments from turtle shells.

Now, it’s the 21st Century. Interior designers were looking for preserved turtle shells as decorations for their houses.

We turtle keepers, however, preserve the turtle shell in memory of our pet.

Let’s now see how to preserve a turtleshell before all else is done.

How To Preserve A Turtle Shell? With Scales!

To let the shell decompose fully, first bury it. To kill bacteria faster, you can clean the shell with borax and saltwater.

The shell should be rinsed and dipped in vinegar. Finally, apply polyurethane to stop the shell from flaking. This is how to preserve a turtle’s shell.

We will be getting into the details.

Decomposition Process

To preserve a turtle’s shell, it is not an easy task. It can take months. It takes months to get rid of a turtle that has just died.

Wrap the turtle in plastic before you bury it. Make sure to leave enough room for crawling insects to get into the holes. To prevent the scutes from falling, wrap it in plastic.

It takes time for the decomposition to occur so be patient. The complete decomposition process of a turtle shell can take anywhere from three months to one year.

If you want to keep the shell intact, you should not leave it to wither for too long. It also depends on the soil type and climate.

To check if the flesh is still edible, you can do a weekly or fortnightly check. You can inspect the turtle’s legs to determine if it has decomposed. The insides of the turtle’s body may have also decomposed if there are obvious signs of bone.

There’s four stages to a turtle’s shell decomposition.

• New Dead Stage
• Bloat Dead Stage
• Active Dead Stage
• Advanced Dead Stage

Fresh Dead Stage

This is when the heart stops beating in the turtle. At this stage, you will notice stiffened limbs as well as a mild foul-smelling odor.

Bloat Dead Stage

This stage is when the turtle’s body begins to bloat, and it emits a strong, pungent odor.

Active Decay Stage

The skin begins to peel off and bones become visible. Additionally, maggots and critters can be seen eating the skin. As the catalysts described above multiply quickly, this process accelerates in summer.

Advanced Decay Stage

After the catalysts have consumed all of the body parts, you will no longer smell the foul odor and be able see the bones.

Now all that is left are bones, scutes and the shell. Now is the time to remove the shell from the burial place.

You can also let the ants clean the shell. You can place the shell in a nearby area if you have ant colonies.

Ants can quickly clean out the shell of a turtle’s body. If you live near the turtle, however, it may be difficult to remove the carcass from the ground without creating a foul odor.

You can also use a knife to carve the body out of the shell to speed up the process.

You will still need to properly decompose internal organs. It is recommended to decompose by burial.

Clean The Shell

Wash the shell first to remove dirt, grubs and insects. Next, clean the insides with borax and an old toothbrush. A vinegar and salt solution can also be made. The solution can be diluted with water.

Place the shell in a bucket and let it sit for at least an hour.

Use vinegar or alcohol to disinfect after you have finished cleaning. This will stop the growth of bacteria, mold, and fungus.

Use Adhesives To Glue The Loose Scutes

You might get some loose scutes and scales if you follow the steps above. You will often see turtles with layers of scutes that are ready to fall off during molting.

To prevent shells from falling apart, search for any loose scutes and glue them over.

After you have glued the shells, allow them to rest for around 15 minutes so that the adhesive can work its magic.

Coat With Polyurethane

Once you have finished with superglue, scutes and other preparations, apply polyurethane on the shell. It will take some time but it is necessary to coat every part of your shell.

The shell is protected from flaking and scratches by coating with polyurethane. The shell is also waterproofed and shiny.

You can also use Varnish or Lacquer if you don’t have polyurethane.

Stick Felt Pads

People love to display their turtle shells on top or on the walls. This leaves scratch marks. Stick some felt pads under the plastron (bottom) shell.

How To Preserve A Baby Turtle Shell?

It’s more difficult to preserve a baby turtle shell than an adult. Baby turtle shells are less developed than mature turtle shells and therefore more difficult to preserve. It can be difficult to preserve them. Here are some tips:

Carve The Turtle Out

Use an outdoor knife to remove the turtle. To kill any bacteria in the shell, boil it. While boiling, do not combine other products such as bleach.

As much as possible, remove the internal organs.

Boiling will soften the flesh and make it easier to carve.

Keep The Shell Outside For Decomposition

Baby turtle shells are much faster than adult turtle shells. If you leave it outside for too long, the shell will become a meal to the insects and will eventually be eaten by them. You will then be left with just bones.

To prevent shell disintegration, make sure you check the condition of the shell every day.

After the insides have been thoroughly decomposed, you can clean and wash the shell.

Carefully Clean The Shell

Then, rinse the shell with running water. This will get rid of dirt and insects.

Make a solution of vinegar, salt, water in a large bowl. Use the solution to clean the inside of the shell with a brush. You can also use borax with a toothbrush.

Get a baby toothbrush if you can. These toothbrushes are smaller than regular ones and can reach the most difficult areas.

Once you’re done cleaning, rinse off the shell.

Use Disinfectants

Disinfectants can be used to kill any mold or fungus that may have grown inside the shell. A alcohol-based disinfectant is the best choice. It can be purchased at your local drug store.

Use Glue To Tape The Scutes

Start gluing your baby turtle’s skin immediately if you notice any scuts or scales separating from its shell.

Super glue and adhesives will seal any scutes.

Coat The Shell With Polyurethane Or Varnish

The shell is protected from scratches by coating it with polyurethane. It also makes it waterproof. Spray polyurethane can be applied or you can use a brush.

If polyurethane doesn’t exist, varnish can be used instead.

Is It Legal To Preserve Turtle Shells?

In many countries, it is illegal to sell, import, or buy turtle shells. However, if you want to keep your turtle as a pet, it is possible.

Bootlegging is the act of importing turtle shells from other countries to be used as souvenirs in the United States.

Final Words On How To Preserve A Turtle Shell

It is simple to preserve an adult turtle’s turtle shell, but it is difficult for baby turtle shells. Adult turtles have shells that are well-developed and cannot be torn by insects or other decomposers.

The baby turtle shells can be a lot more soft and crumbly if left outside to decay longer.

You can create stunning art and preserve the memories of your turtle pet if you follow the steps in this article.