Why Do Turtles Have Shells?

ScienceDaily reports

Scientists have discovered the real reason turtles have shells. While many thought turtle shells were for protection, new findings show that the shells were actually for digging underground to escape the harsh South African environment where these early proto turtles lived.

Read article at Real reason turtles have shells: Burrowing tool: Dr. Tyler Lyson co-authors paper about turtle shells as a burrowing tool, not for protection as previously thought — ScienceDaily