General Care Discussion :: Spots concerns

[chrisinva]

I believe (from what I have read) that the spots on my RES shell bottom are growth spots....Can you guys take a look and let me know if it is cause for any concern?

[BullDog]

Are you talking about the brown spots? Aren't those just part of his plastron pattern? His shell looks pretty good to me. Looks like he's growing at about the right rate too.

PS - I love the look on his face in that pic! He's like, "Excuse me! Just what do you think you're doing!?"

[joeybsmooth]

I think he means the light brown spots on top of the normal ones .

To me it looks like shedding .

[bradmeisel]

i like his expression also

[marisa]

Are you talking about the newer brown blotches that seem to be growing out of the regular ones? If so, this can happen as they grow (the blotches look "unfocused" and start to look more pulled together as the shell grows).

I do note, though, that the seam (the line in between the individual scutes) looks a little wide and pinkish in some areas. Has the RES been growing noticeably? If so, how often, how much and what is he being fed? What are the temps of the water and basking area?

[chrisinva]

Water temp is 75 to 80 depending on the temps in the house...

And the basking temp is mid 90s

He gets Repto Min Baby once a day...about a heads size portion

Yes it's the brownish spots I was concerned about

[marisa]

If he'll bask with the temp at about 90F, that would be better for him.

Try getting him to eat some plant matter along with those pellets----leafy greens, for example. You might offer a bit less of the pellets.

[chrisinva]

So...are the darker brown spots cause for concern??? Need a vet??

[SpotsMama]

Both sets of spots are fine and normal - both the dark ones and the transparent "shadow" spots that overlay them. Do you see how each big dark brown spot seems to have a smaller, pale twin? That's typical.