The shell of the turtle is divided into two parts, the upper carapace and the lower plastron . The two are connected on the sides by the bridge . A turtle can not walk out of its shell, the carapace is fused with the ribs of the turtle. The attributes of the turtle's shell can vary greatly, from hard and bony to flexible and leathery. Some turtles have shells with bright markings or unusual shapes.
Turtles have solid skulls without temporal openings.
Instead of teeth, they have horny beaks. The beak of a turtle is adapted for it's primary diet. Carnivorous species have sharp hooked beaks to grasp and slice animal prey. Vegetarian turtles and those that eat mollusks have beaks with flat, broad crushing surfaces. Turtles can be found on every continent except Antarctica.