General Care Discussion :: Molting?

[JGoldinger]

Do turtles molt?

We found ours in the middle of the road, the middle of no where, no water anywhere around, and i am 200% sure she was some one pets...

I can tell she is a she after reading these forums, thank you much.

But she is shedding her skin, and it seems to be aggrivating her cause she is pulling it off.

Much Obliged
Jennifer

[BullDog]

Turtles do shed their shell and skin. Sometimes it can be itchy, and they'll bite at their arms. Just keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't make any red spots or sores on her arms.

[SpotsMama]

Excessive skin shedding can have a number of causes. Sometimes when a turtle has been living in unsanitary or harsh conditions, then moves to a clean place, he/she will shed skin very heavily for a short time, then settle down to normal. I found my turtle in circumstances somewhat similar to yours. He was in the back yard under a pile of leaves in November. It was cold and I think he was near death from dehydration, cold and starvation. He shed very heavily for several weeks - his poor skin came off in grey sheets. Then, thank goodness, it got normal.

Heavy shedding can also be a sign of skin infection. If it persists, then that's what I'd suspect.

Turtles will also shed heavily when they are overfed and when their water is too warm. I doubt that's what's happening to your turtle since apparently he was out on his own for some period.

[JGoldinger]

Thanks for the words of encouragment, i will look after her. I havent seen any red spots or anything on her.