How to Preserve Turtle Shells With Scales

When turtles are alive, they have no difficulty maintaining the beauty of their shell and scales, also known as scutes. If you come across an empty shell that once belonged to a turtle, you will need to act quickly in order to preserve the turtle shell. Without proper care and human intervention, a turtle shell will quickly dry up and fall apart. If you want to preserve a turtle shell with scales you will need to clean and preserve the shell to prevent decomposition and bacterial growth.

Things You'll Need

  • Empty turtle shell
  • Gloves
  • Soap
  • Water
  • Toothbrush
  • Large bowl
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Clear enamel
  • Newspapers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect and make sure that the body of the turtle has been removed from the shell completely. This may have been done naturally, or you may have helped the process along. Be sure to wear gloves when handling the shell, due to the bacteria and larvae that may be present throughout the shell.

    • 2

      Wash the inside and outside of the shell with mild soap and water to get rid of any surface debris. You may need to use a toothbrush or a small pick to get into the small crevices of the shell. Rinse the shell thoroughly in clean water.

    • 3

      Sanitize the shell using straight hydrogen peroxide. You can do this by submerging the shell into a bowl or bucket that is filled with hydrogen peroxide. Let the shell soak for a few hours.

    • 4

      Remove the turtle shell from the hydrogen peroxide soak and allow it to air dry. This may take a few days, depending on the weather, temperature and humidity levels in your area. You should choose a location where the shell will not be disturbed or damaged.

    • 5

      Prepare an area to work with the turtle shell by spreading newspapers, garbage bags or other protective material around. This material will protect your table, floor or furniture from any chemical overspray.

    • 6

      Preserve the shell's scutes, or scales, by coating them with a coating of clear spray enamel. Make sure that you spray the enamel in a well-ventilated area because the fumes can be toxic. Allow the enamel coating to dry completely.

    • 7

      Spray the turtle shell with an additional coating of clear enamel spray. Once this coating has dried thoroughly, your turtle shell will be ready for display and will be preserved so it will last.