General Care Discussion :: UPDATE: 2/15/09 What Is a normal growth rate? White spots?

[steve]

The Photobucket account is set to private.

[res08]

my 10 mos old is about 2 inches. small compared to others on here but she's active and healthy. never been sick.

[ilikeadabox]

The Photobucket account is set to private.

I'm sorry! the guest password is: redearslider

(all one word)

[marisa]

ilikeadabox, I reread your initial comments and questions about growth...When you say you measured with a bendy ruler, is this a ruler that's flexible enough to bend with the curve of the shell? If so, you'd have a more accurate gauge of your RES's size if you measured the distance the length of the spine from behind the neck down to the scutes above the tail and didn't include the shell curve (the straight carapace length or SCL). Perhaps your RES hasn't grown quite as much as you think, and that's fine.

As for the spots, I doubt they're mineral deposits, but rather they look like they're part of the scute(s), and probably the result of the scutes needing to shed.

But again, your turtle needs to shed. Does your turtle bask sufficiently? What kind of UVB light are you using? How old is it? (regular UVB lights need to be changed every 6-8 months).

BTW, age not size determines whether or not a turtle is a yearling (which would be at one year of age).

[ilikeadabox]

ilikeadabox, I reread your initial comments and questions about growth...When you say you measured with a bendy ruler, is this a ruler that's flexible enough to bend with the curve of the shell? If so, you'd have a more accurate gauge of your RES's size if you measured the distance the length of the spine from behind the neck down to the scutes above the tail and didn't include the shell curve (the straight carapace length or SCL). Perhaps your RES hasn't grown quite as much as you think, and that's fine.

As for the spots, I doubt they're mineral deposits, but rather they look like they're part of the scute(s), and probably the result of the scutes needing to shed.

But again, your turtle needs to shed. Does your turtle bask sufficiently? What kind of UVB light are you using? How old is it? (regular UVB lights need to be changed every 6-8 months).

BTW, age not size determines whether or not a turtle is a yearling (which would be at one year of age).

I measured with a ruler that you can bend right in half, I know that being a year old means that they're a yearling I just wanted to kn ow if her size kind of indicated age, I know she needs to shed and I have given her sweet potato and blueberries and it seemed to make a difference in the appearance of the scutes, she does bask often and regularity depends on whether or not we're in the room near her because she begs for food alot lol ( I don't give in), she basks under a Reptisun 5.0 compact. And is due for a change soon, it is centered about a foot away from her basking dock, so yeah Thoughts and comment please Thank you for your concern and caring

[ilikeadabox]

Oh BTW i don't know exactly If I'm measuring right but i measured her the other day and she was about two and a quarter inches if that means anything and what I meant to add in the comment above and forgot was the fact that no matter what I do she wont shed I even give her cuttlebone which she won't touch maybe she just needs a new UVB?

[marisa]

Well, I tried to explain above how your should measure the shell...

Shedding can take a bit of time, it isn't like a turtle magically drops all his scutes (although I've seen some turtles come close).

If the Reptisun is older than indicated above, you might change it. I'm assuming your RES has a heat source as well (?). What's the basking area temp? Should be in the range of 88-90F. If she jumps off the basking area to beg when you enter the room, try putting a barrier around the tank closest to the entrance so she doesn't see you.

[ilikeadabox]

Yes I'm going to change the UVB soon, umm... I like the idea about the barrier I'll take a towel or something (Thanks for the idea) Yes she has a heat source as well the basking temp is about 30 degrees celcius as I have no fahrenheit thermometer lol and I don't know celcius but I know that Is about right lol Umm so let me just put this in words for my benefit, you measure with a ruler that can bend with the ridge in their shell in the middle, from neck scutes to the tail scutes correct? Sorry I just need elaboration lol thank you for your continued support

[Caphits]

it is a strait lenght. Nothing bendy about it.

[Jbenjamin_kuN22]

thats exactly whats happening to my RES' and REeves shell.... it is mineral deposits i believe.... it looks dry, white, flakish, etc...

[TurtleLover_S&B]

I have this turtle sulfa dip.It's suppose to get rid of bacterial diseases.I've never used it though.Here's the one I have:

[steve]

It's possible that it's fungus, though it was hard to tell anything from pictures. Is it a solid white that is spreading outward? Has it started to appear in other areas?

[ilikeadabox]

Yes I think it has appeared to be spreading outwards I'll have to look for some of that sulfa dip next time I go to Petsmart......

[steve]

If it is fungus, the sulfa dip won't do much.

[ilikeadabox]

What do I do? Just hope she sheds or something?