SHARK BITE HOSPITAL
Boat Injuries
Another injury is propeller cuts boats traveling in the water which can hit sea turtles and cause damage to their shell. The shells of the turtle are made of bone but it can still be broken. Most likely the shell has to be wired shut to heal properly and to keep bacteria infection out. Sea turtles can travel around 25 miles per hour so they are not able to escape a boat with double the speed. The sea turtles that stay close to the surface are either sick or injured which makes them vulnerable to boat attacks.
A shell of a turtle is a common area where the propeller hits. The shell of a sea turtle is very important because it fuses the spine and ribs of the turtle. When a propeller hits the turtle, the turtle becomes paralyzed or it kills the turtle. Bubble butt is a syndrome that is caused by a boat hit, while the turtle is taking in air. The turtle receives a sudden shock from the hull of the boat and this impact forces the air into their body cavity. Over time, the shell distorts and a bubble forms at the rear end of a turtle. The air makes the turtle float not allowing it to dive for food or escaping from predators. This is a major injury that turtles receive and usually they are not put back in the ocean.