General Care Discussion :: shedding question

[TheComputerGremlin]

Hi, just a random question, anyone with any experience, how long do turtles typically shed before they get all the dead skin off and be normal looking again? I just want to know when to be concerned. Mikey started shedding about a week ago, right when I changed him tanks (since he now had lots and lots of water to swim in), it started at his legs, now he's got skin hanging from all parts of him, including something of a beard going on. Obviously I'm not overly concerned since shedding is a part of life, but do I need to help get the skin off or just let him be?

Oh, and since eventually he'll probably shed his scutes, do they just fall to the bottom of the tank and need to be fished out, or will the filter get them, or will he eat them?

Thanks!

[marisa]

When my turtles have shed, it's been gradual---a wisp hanging of here and there. Shedding shouldn't be really noticeable; if it is, it sounds like perhaps your turtle is going through a growth spurt. My RES did this when he was really young, and it was over fairly quickly (a week or two).

What's the water temp? Higher temps can encourage heavier shedding as well.

Just let it the skin shed naturally, you don't need to help it off.

[TheComputerGremlin]

So, I got him when he was maybe 1.5" shell length, since then I'm guessing he's closer to 2.5" (over four months). The water temp is 78, he basks and is otherwise a happy, healthy looking turtle. I just want to make sure that it's nothing to be worried about or if he needs any extra calcium or something.

[mikee]

When the scutes come off you can pick them out out of the tank. Sometimes they will eat their own scutes. As far as the skin, I would not worry and leave it alone. Just make sure the water is clean and the temps are where they should be.