Tortoise Burned In Fire Gets Custom 3D-Printed Shell

Aug 13, 2020 by apost team

In 2015, this tortoise was found on the side of the road in Brazil with 85% of its shell gone due to being the victim of a fire. After being taken to Rodrigo Rabello, a team of veterinarians and a dental surgeon used 3D printing technology to print the tortoise they later named Freddy a new shell.

According to ABC News, the Tortoise, named Freddy by the 3-D designers in Brazil, was able to get a new chance at life due to the power of technology. The 3-D printed shell was created to mimic the size, weight, and durability of an original tortoiseshell. This shell allows the tortoise to have the protection that he needs in order to lead a normal life.

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Freddy the Tortoise was saved by a team known as the Animal Avengers. The team consisted of 3D designer Cicero Moraes, four veterinarians, and a dental surgeon. The group used each team member's specialized knowledge in order to get this one-of-a-kind shell on Freddy's body.

According to Brazilian source Biofabris Inc., Freddy was found on the side of a road in 2015. 85% of Freddy's shell was destroyed by the fire. Freddy was transported to Rodrigo Rabello in Brasilia. Although the Tortoise is female, the animal was given the name Freddy because her burned back resembled Freddy Kruger's burned face from the "Nightmare on Elm Street" movies.

While 3-D printing is one of the most advanced technology's available, 3D-printer Cicero Moraes told ABC News that the printing process itself was actually easy. The designers simply took a photo of Freddy and used a computer program to create a synthetic shell. The outside of the shell was then painted to allow the turtle to blend in with nature.

The story of Freddy the tortoise has gained press around the world. That's because this story contains two unique angles that many people found intriguing — survival and ingenuity.

First, it is amazing to hear of a story of a tortoise that is able to survive a fire. After all, a tortoise is not the fastest moving animal in the world. Also, the fact that 3-D printing technology could be used to give the tortoise a new lease on life makes the story more unique.

Tortoises are one of the most interesting animals on Earth. According to Britannica, tortoises are ancient. These animals have been around 200 million years, long before the creation of mammals. Also, a tortoise has an average lifespan of about 100 years.

A tortoise's shell is also amazingly complex. In fact, the shell consists of 60 interconnected bones. 

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