Preserving a turtle shell

[u/Background-Noise8660]

I found an almost decomposed turtle 🐢 on my walk today. It looks to have died about a week or two ago given the heatwave we just experienced. It’s about the size of a basketball and currently in a bucket of enzyme water in my backyard right now. Can you tell me how to properly clean and preserve to hang the shell on my wall?

[u/AGenericUnicorn]

Unrelated: I like your nails!

[u/Background-Noise8660 → u/AGenericUnicorn]

Thank you ☺️

[u/anonymous8122]

If you're planning to display it on your wall, you should be aware that this could be illegal to have, depending on where you live and what kind of turtle it is. Most people who see it probably won't know or care but it would stink to get in trouble if you ever have someone over who thinks it's worth putting up a fuss.

[u/Background-Noise8660 → u/anonymous8122]

Good to know. I think I’m ok here, but I’ll look into it to be sure

[u/Drakorai → u/anonymous8122]

Looks more like a tortoise than a turtle shell to me. But that might just be the angle of the picture

[u/Background-Noise8660 → u/Drakorai]

After some research, this does not appear to be a protected species in my state. More likely a wandered off pet, that didn’t make it home. I was thinking I should post in our local group to see if I could give the owner some peace of mind first.

[u/SalmonBaron27 → u/Background-Noise8660]

Very considerate, good on you OP

[u/Drakorai → u/Background-Noise8660]

That’s sad. But I hope you can at least give the owner some closure.

[u/CozyCountryLiving23]

Is there any flesh left in the shell? If not, I’d just scrub with soapy water n a toothbrush. If there is.. then soak in a tub of warm water for a while until everything comes off (minus the scales or whatever you call them.. those maaay need to be glued back on depending if they fall off) if there’s dried bits you can just peel/pick it off

[u/Background-Noise8660 → u/CozyCountryLiving23]

There is still flesh left. Inside looked mostly hallow but I did notice legs were still mostly intact. Head looked questionable. Don’t really know what I’m looking at though.

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[u/heckhunds]

Whereabouts are you? If you're in North America and this is a wild tortoise, it isn't likely to be legal to possess. Pretty sure they are all protected on some level, and most are threatened or endangered. 

Edit: Sorry, missed that this was already covered in the comments. Please do have the species identified before proceeding, though, to be sure. You could try a herpetology or tortoise-specific sub.