Can you tell the age of a turtle by the number of scutes on its shell?

Counting the number of scutes on a turtle's shell is not a reliable method for determining its age. Scutes are the keratinous plates that cover the shell and provide protection to the turtle's body. The number of scutes can vary by species, and some species have overlapping scutes that can make it difficult to count. Additionally, scutes can wear down or break off over time due to environmental factors, making it even more difficult to determine the turtle's age based on scute count alone.

There are some other methods that can be used to estimate a turtle's age, such as examining growth rings on bones, teeth, or shells, but these are not foolproof either. Factors like nutrition and habitat can affect growth rates, making it difficult to accurately determine the turtle's age based on these methods as well.

If you want to learn more about a specific turtle's age, it is best to consult with a veterinarian or an expert in turtle biology who can examine the turtle and make a more informed estimate based on multiple factors.