Turtle scutes are obtained when a baby turtle grows into an adult, dropping one scute naturally. They can also be acquired through turtle farming by breeding turtles with seagrass.
Turtle scutes are primarily used to craft a turtle shell, which provides water breathing when worn as a helmet. They are also required to brew the Potion of the Turtle Master, which grants Resistance and Slowness for increased defense.
Since scutes are a renewable resource, they are valuable for ocean exploration, potion brewing, and armor crafting.