A carapace is a dorsal (upper) section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods, such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates, such as turtles and tortoises.

What is the shell of a turtle called?

All turtles have a shell. Each shell has a top, called a CARAPACE, and a bottom, called a PLAS- TRON. The shell is made up of large, hard scales called SCUTES. Most turtles have 13 scutes on the top shell.

What is carapace in animals?

1 : a bony or chitinous case or shield covering the back or part of the back of an animal (such as a turtle or crab) 2 : a protective, decorative, or disguising shell the carapace of reserve he built around himself— M. M. Mintz.