Painting a turtle’s shell, whether the turtle is a pet or a wild animal, is an act of cruelty that causes the animal very serious harm. Turtle shells are not “dead”— they are part of the animal’s living organ system. Turtles absorb sunlight through their shells and convert it to vitamin D. When the shell is coated in paint, it blocks the absorption of this essential nutrient, leading to a serious disorder known as metabolic bone disease. The turtle’s shell, jaw, and internal body become deformed and it ends up dying a slow, painful death.
STOP PAINTING TURTLES and don't buy turtles with heated stickers on the shells.