General Care Discussion :: found a turtle in my garage

[kimmykan]

I let him run around last night for about 45mins. I sat with him and he climbed on me a few times then checked things out. He chased my dog for a while. You would think a black lab wouldnt run from a turtle. I was worried he was thirsty so I put him back. When his shell dryed it had a white flaky look to it. Is this normal? maybe hes not basking enough? We are still thinking of a name for him. My 4 yr old wants to call him fasty!?

[Swaypippin]

The flaky look could indeed be from not basking. Or he could just be sheding. Maybe he didn't have adequit diet and/or basking area's in the place he was before he met you. Just keep an eye on him and see if he does shed his scutes in whole pieces or in flakes. Make sure he has enough basking area too where he can completly dry his whole shell out. That should help out.

[kimmykan]

Thanks for the response. I will definatly keep an eye on him. I dont think he is getting out of the water enough so I make sure to get him out for about an hour a day. His reptomin pellets have calcium, so hopefully that will help too. I have so much to learn. What is the difference if he sheds his scutes in whole pieces or in flakes??

[marisa]

Normally, the scutes come off in one piece, and a shed scute looks like a translucent version of the scute that's taken it's place.

[kimmykan]

I let him run around so that he drys off. He doesnt seem to bask that much. He likes to chase the dog- my lab is a sissy, she just runs from him. Then the turtle trys to crawl on my lap, checks everything out. I never let him out of my sight. After about an hour I put him back so he doesnt get thirsty. Thanks for all the info. Now he just needs a name.!