General Care Discussion :: Shell Questions, need answers

[SurelyEvan]

I looked at my four RES today and I've noticed something.....are they pyramiding? If yes, what can I feed them to stop pyramiding?

I have 2 pics of the four turtles, just each pic show the two separate turtles...

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=4uh2s8&s=2

and

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=t86at3&s=2

And my last question:
Is the turtles shell supposed to be really smooth or rough?

[emma]

i cant really tell from the pictures. And how many gallons is your aquarium for your turtles??

[SurelyEvan]

75 Gallons, It's just their shells aren't the most smoothest and I only feed the m ReptoMin Sticks once a day..so?

[megcornell]

They don't look like they're pyramiding to me, at least not anything serious. Do a search and look at pyramiding pictures to see if you think that's what's happening with yours.
You should start feeding them a more balanced diet. Look at the nutrition section. Turtles 4" and larger only get fed pellets every other day, to prevent pyramiding. They really should be eating veggies by now.

[marisa]

The pics are rather dark, but I don't really see any raised spots on their shells. If the shells aren't that smooth, perhaps the scutes are getting ready to lift off and shed (can't tell from the pics, though).

At their size, pellets every other day. How many are you giving at a feeding? Feed as many as would fit into their heads (if they were empty) for each turtle. Vary with other foods, particularly plant matter, and keep a few pieces cuttlebone in the tank as a calcium supplement (there are threads on this if you don't know about it). Do they bask under a UVB light and heat light?

[jridge]

At their size, pellets every other day. How many are you giving at a feeding? Feed as many as would fit into their heads (if they were empty) for each turtle. Vary with other foods, particularly plant matter, and keep a few pieces cuttlebone in the tank as a calcium supplement (there are threads on this if you don't know about it). Do they bask under a UVB light and heat light?

Sam is 4" in length now..... if you had to count the pellets, how many would you estimate it would take to fit in the head??.....I use Reptomin sticks....I've been guessing about 15-20.....Does this seem reasonable?

Thanks

[marisa]

15-20 regular-size Reptomin pellets once a day for a 4-inch RES named Sam? How big are the other turtles? If that amount is for Sam and the other turtles each get the same amount, that's way too much. If you're doing so, don't include the neck, just look at the head. Don't be generous with the amount you think would fit in the head. When my RES was 4 inches, he got 6-7 pellets if they were Reptomin along with leafy greens and assorted veggies. I actually rotated several brands of pellets along with other foods. Depending on the size of the pellet, he might get a bit more.

[jridge]

I only have 1 RES.....he is a bachelor....i guess that's why his head is so big .....So, you think 15 is too many, every other day? I also give him zuchinni, leaf lettuce, carrots, etc.... when I have them around.....

[marisa]

My apology---I was responding with the original poster, who indicated s/he had multiple turtles, in mind. I don't know how fast your RES is growing or what he looks like. 15-20 Reptomin pellets to me is a rather large amount to be fitting inside the head.

[jridge]

Thanks, Marisa.....I'll cut him down some.....He seems to be very healthy and happy....No pyramiding, or any other obese signals.....He's gonna be a BIG boy when he grows up.....