What does a chelonian beak look like?

A turtle is a chelonian. Chelonians include turtles, tortoises, and terrapins.  

All chelonians have a beak, like a parrot’s beak. 

A chelonian has no teeth, so its beak is important for eating. Its beak has horny blades that are made of keratin. 

It uses its beak to catch food and to cut up its food. Its beak is very sharp so that it can eat a wide variety of food, from meat to vegetation. Its beak is self-sharpening. 

Keratin is the same material as hair, finger nails, toe nails, claws, and hooves. Because the Chelonian beak is made of keratin, it continues to grow. 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM