Can You Paint On Tortoise Shell?
fact checked & review by
Dr. Partho Kumar Shaha
Veterinarian (DVM)
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
You may be aware that keratin, also found in your fingernails, is also what makes up a tortoise shell. Due to the close resemblance between nails and tortoise shells, many owners justify using nail polish or ordinary wall color on their pet’s shell.
You cannot paint on a tortoise shell. Putting any kind of paint on a tortoise shell is very dangerous. The paint includes toxic substances that may be absorbed by the skin and cause a wide range of health problems. Paint will prevent the shell from absorbing solar radiation, which is essential for the creation of vitamin D.
Despite being formed of keratin the tortoise’s shell permits substances to enter its body. A tortoise’s health or life may be jeopardized as a result of this. Additionally, tortoises’ inherent camouflage is negated when they are painted.
In this article, I will be discussing the harmful effects of painting on tortoise shell as well as whether it’s safe to use so-called “tortoise-safe” paint, sharpies, and so on. So, keep on reading if you want to learn about these in detail and the alternatives to painting on your tortoise.
Should You Paint Your Tortoise’s Shell?
In no way, shape, or form you should paint your tortoise’s shell. The strong chemical odor is noticeable while painting one’s own nails or one’s home.
Even something as simple as painting your nails may put you at risk of being exposed to a wide variety of chemicals that enter the body via your nails.
This may not happen right away. However, since your nails make up such a minute percentage of your body, the impact that this will have on you will be negligible.
The opposite is true in the case of tortoises. Their whole bodies are encased within the carapace, and the only parts of them that are visible to the outside world are their legs, their tails, and their heads.
Imagine that 80 or 90 percent of the entire body is coated with a substance that is heavy, stinky, and abrasive and that you are unable to wash off. That doesn’t seem nearly as appealing, does it?
Why Is Painting On A Tortoise Shell A Bad Idea?
The process of painting a tortoise’s shell is like deliberately harming your dearest friend who cannot speak.
She is unable to communicate with you whether it is painful, stinks badly, or is causing her to feel ill.
The majority of tortoises will not exhibit any symptoms of gradual toxicity or if anything is affecting them before it is way too late. Then why take the chance?
The majority of knowledgeable individuals are in agreement that coloring tortoise carapace is bad for the animals’ health for a multitude of reasons.
Even colors marketed as being safe for tortoises are really a tortoise’s worst nightmare in a can. I’ll explain why.
1. Hazardous Ingredients
When you paint the shell of a tortoise, you put your pet in danger of being exposed to excessive doses of hazardous chemicals.
These will make their way into the organs of the tortoise in a precise manner, eventually accumulating in blood circulation. This will result in disease, lack of strength, and ultimately death in the long run.
The carapace of a tortoise is not completely impenetrable to outside elements. It is constructed in a way that will allow specific objects to enter and exit.
Underneath the shell lies a very intricate system of blood arteries, peripheral nerves, and sensitive cells, all of which are vulnerable to the effects of toxin exposure from the environment.
Formaldehyde, toluene, acetone, and turpentine are some of the compounds that may be found in some pigments.
These are only some of the substances that are common knowledge to the vast majority of people.
The list is quite extensive, and each substance carries its own unique set of health risks to both humans and animals. Imagine having it spread all across your skin like a lotion.
2. Blocking Solar Energy
The sun is the only source of some essential vitamins that tortoises can acquire. Without it, they would be deficient.
You may prevent a tortoise from absorbing some vitamins by coloring the whole or a portion of its shell.
You will, in all likelihood, accelerate the tortoise’s death by allowing it to become malnourished and suffer from vitamin insufficiency.
3. Heat Regulating Impediment
The painted surface of a tortoise’s shell does not have the ability to release heat. This implies that a painted tortoise has a high risk of overheating extremely fast, which might lead to its death.
Imagine yourself sweltering within an armored costume from which there is no way out. If you are having trouble visualizing it, then imagine how you’d feel when you were cooped up in a warm automobile.
The only difference is that painted tortoises are unable to exit their enclosure by simply pushing a door open and walking away.
4. Difficulties with Breathing
Major problems with breathing might result from the presence of all of those toxins that are getting inside their systems and lingering around their carapace. Painting on their shells also causes respiratory diseases.
Consider what it would be like to be stuck in a space that has just been painted. You have the capability to open a door or go outdoors, but a tortoise does not.
Because someone wants them to seem “beautiful,” they have no choice but to remain there, where they will continue to be exposed to those noxious gases and breathe them in.
5. Distortion of the Shell
Painting a snail’s shell may slow down its development, and this can be done both in nature and in custody.
Even a simple artwork that is kept on for an extended period of time may cause the shell to develop pits, swirls, pyramiding, and even become softer.
All of these problems have the potential to result in diseases or wounds inside the body.
Do Tortoise Shells Have Pores?
To some degree, this is correct. They cannot be compared to sponges or anything else that is plainly absorbing.
On the other hand, they are formed of keratin, which, on a microscale, has a permeable quality to them inherently.
Because of this, items are able to be absorbed into the shell. Things like nourishment, oxygen, and vitamin and mineral supplements.
Unfortunately, this also implies that tortoise shells are capable of and will absorb potentially harmful chemicals.
Is Nail Polish Safe To Paint On A Tortoise Shell?
No, utilizing this method is just as risky as painting your tortoise with ordinary paint. Toxic ingredients such as acetone, butyl acetate, and camphor are often found in nail polish.
These ingredients should be avoided at all costs. Because tortoises are capable of absorbing things via their shells, the toxins will be absorbed by them as well.
Is Pens Or Sharpies Safe To Use On A Tortoise Shell?
To be honest, no. Even common office supplies like pencils and highlighters may leach hazardous substances into the tortoise’s blood circulation. This can cause life-threatening health issues.
Even while the ink from a Sharpie isn’t as detrimental as paint for disrupting aeration, the fact that it changes the hue of the carapace means that it may have an impact on how the body regulates heat as well as how much energy from the sun is absorbed.
Are Glue Gemstones Safe To Put On Tortoises?
Kindly refrain from gluing anything onto your tortoise in any way. Not only may the diamonds or other embellishments be hazardous, but the adhesive itself also has the potential to be.
If they come loose, they might potentially provide a choking threat. Be kind to your tortoise and refrain from adorning it with jewelry.
Is Paint Labeled As Tortoise-Friendly Really Safe For Tortoises?
Not even a teeny-tiny fraction of it! Even while the toxic components that make up tortoise-friendly paint are less hazardous than those that make up conventional paint or nail polish, it is still not safe to use.
If you color them, even with colors that are intended to be safe, you will reduce the amount of surface space that is accessible to them to receive the nutritious components that they need.
Additionally, they prevent adequate heat from dissipating through the outside. Thus the tortoise will suffer from heat exhaustion and eventually die.
However, there is a specialized paint that marine scientists use to place microscopic markings on tortoises in order to track their movements.
These paints are not only pricey but they were never meant for the purpose of creative endeavors in the first place.
These individuals are not being given for drawing stripes or cheerful faces by the experts. The marking of tortoises should be left to the professionals.
What Are The Alternatives To Painting Tortoise Shells?
Even while we think that tortoises are gorgeous just the way they are, we understand that some people wish to create something special to make their pets seem even more stunning.
What other ways are there to enjoy dressing up with tortoises, given that you are aware that coloring may be harmful and perhaps even fatal to them?
1. Make Clothes
We can say that there are some individuals whose tortoise getups are so inventive that they cause us to grin.
Putting a tortoise in a costume may be an enjoyable experience if it is done correctly and with due consideration for the animal’s welfare.
When you make a new dress for your tortoise, be sure to choose organic, natural materials that are airy. In order to avoid impeding her mobility, make sure that it is very flimsy and has a flexible fit.
Go with fabrics that are appropriate for children and babies if you want your tortoise outfits to be risk-free. Always be prepared to take off the clothing at the earliest indication of trouble.
Even if your tort enjoys wearing the outfit or at the very least is tolerant of it, you shouldn’t keep it on for an extended period of time.
Keep in mind that in order for them to maintain their well-being, UV radiation must be absorbed by their shells.
2. Make the enclosure attractive.
Why don’t you simply paint the habitat for your tortoise rather than embarrass it by dressing it up in silly costumes and having it perform for you?
You are free to make as many alterations to the décor as you choose without endangering your tortoise or making him seem foolish.
Conclusion
The backs of all tortoises are covered with stunning mosaics that are a creation of nature.
These exquisite patterns are not only appealing to the eye, but they also perform essential tasks that are necessary to maintain the animals’ health.
Find methods to embrace your tortoise’s natural beauty rather than trying to hide nature’s masterpiece and put your pet in danger.
If you’re in the creative mood, but don’t want to risk damaging your tortoise’s shell by painting on it, try drawing on paper or decorating the walls of its habitat rather.
About Author
Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.