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Shell coloring.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 3:17 pm
by Timothytidwell28
My turtle has always been a dark brown. Started shedding his scutes and now he is a light tan with brown spots. He's acting normal and his shell isn't soft and it doesn't smell weird. Couldn't find any info or many pictures on the internet of a red eared slider of that color. Is his color fine or should i bring him to the vet because of a shell problem? Tried uploading a picture but it was apparently too large of a file

Re: Shell coloring.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 3:45 pm
by litefoot
Resize photo smaller will work.

In the amount of time I have in hobby I have seen once in awhile a shell go lighter . Most yes gets darker and patterns do change but this does happen and nothing to worry about. May just be something in it's DNA. Lets make sure with a photo but does sounds normal.

Just A Note : Always let a turtle shed the scutes on it's own. Never try to help by pulling them off to help. That could expose bone and or damage the new growth under the keratin layer even pull some of the new pattern or color off.

Re: Shell coloring.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:04 pm
by Timothytidwell28
Figured out how to resize it. And yes I let them fall off on there own. That's why I haven't cleaned the algae off the other ones they are all starting to peel and I don't want to tamper with them.

Re: Shell coloring.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:21 pm
by litefoot
Way to much algae to really tell anything. Even where the scutes already shed more algae is forming.

Use a child's soft tooth brush and gently clean ( in a circular pattern ) with some warm water will help some . You may need to adjust it's habitat will help with that algae before you get full blown fungus and mold .

Re: Shell coloring.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:26 pm
by Timothytidwell28
The three in the center just shed so that light tan and brown spots are the color of his shell. I'll try to clear the algae off the other sites but they are in the process of shedding so should I still clean them?

Re: Shell coloring.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:37 pm
by litefoot
Just me but I would "Gentily" with a child's soft tooth brush. Stay away from any of the keratin edges peeling up. Will make it easier to shed the remaining scutes. In nature turtles shed to grow but also when a problem comes up to stay healthy.

A close up of the spots will help and a photo of the full tank setup too !

Re: Shell coloring.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:38 pm
by Timothytidwell28
Ok I can do that when I get home later tonight and I'll put up more pictures.

Re: Shell coloring.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:45 pm
by litefoot
You could stop at a drug store and get a surgical scrub to help clean it. OTC as povidone-iodine solution or as betadine. Clean shell rinse it off / dry then take photo when "dry" is a must.

Re: Shell coloring.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 02, 2017 4:56 pm
by Timothytidwell28
Will do. Was planning on that anyway just in case.

Re: Shell coloring.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 03, 2017 8:20 am
by steve
He's become melanastic, so there will be some darker/gray areas. Clean him up and give us a good look :)

For cleaning algae on the shell, I usually gently scrub, rinse, wipe and repeat. Betadine is good and a good surgical scrub should have chlorhexidine (Hibiclens). Just be aware that Betadine might cause stains if you spill it and Hibiclens is a bit soapy and can make the turtle slippery before you rinse him.