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Hey everyone!

Just wanted to wish you all happy and healthy holidays!

Quick question;

1. Do turtles "feel" when you brush their shell? Aka can I use a razor blade to get some of the hard gunk off of the shell? I have been using a toothbrush so far.

Thanks!

I'm not 100% sure, but I assume a razer is too dangerous. Stick to a toothbrush till you get a definite answer.

My guess is that using a razor blade on their shell would be like using a razor blade to scrape your bones.. not something I'd like done.. OUCH!!!!

The closest description I have ever read about shell sensitivity is that it is similar to your finger nails. There is sensitivity there, so you'd want to be careful with your turtle.

What exactly is the hard gunk on your turtle's shell?

My turtle can feel when I touch his shell. If I rub his shell he'll go into a trance so yes they can feel it and umm a razorblade....I'd say NO! That'd be like using a razorblade on fingernails or your bones. Plus their shell is kinda like their skin, it sheds etc etc. so you could do some real damage to it. Stick with a toothbrush and a washcloth. I use a washcloth to help dry off my turtle and stuff. Fair warning he may nip at it if he gets too close to the washcloth.

Please don't use a razor blade to clean your turtle's shell! If you run your finger over a finger nail, you should be able to feel something, and that's what your turtle will feel as well. Probably more, since I've read they their shells are surprisingly sensitive. I clean my smallest turts with q-tips and it's amazing how they respond to the gentle rubbing. You could cause a small nick in the shell with the blade, and if bacteria gets into it, shell problems could result.

Is the gunk mineral deposits? (If you put a bit of white vinegar on a q-tip and rub it, if it comes off that's likely what it is). I'd use a soft toothbrush to periodically clean the shell.

Oh, and happy holidays to you, to!

hey maria IM ALMOST CERTAIN its mineral deposits....When i had my old filter running against the wall of the tank it made the walls "white" with what i belived to be mineral deposits.

So I need white vinegar? When the mineral deposits were on the wall, only the razor blade took them off. (dont worry im not using it on the shell)....

lemme know thanks

I had a build up of white "gunk" on my aquarium walls too.. and after I scraped it, I kept up with it by cleaning it with white vinegar so it does work and it's much easier than scraping