General Care Discussion :: yes, yes... another shedding question...

[KatieSmeltzer]

I recently bought a submersible heater last weekend and a thermometer. I put the heater in the corner of the tank, with the thermometer right next to it. The temperature is reading 72-75*F. Filbert started shedding pretty badly around his neck. So... thinking that it was too warm for him, I turned off the heater. The temperature is still reading 75*... this isn't too warm for him, is it???

[BullDog]

75 should be fine. Usually for hatchlings it's recommended that you even go up to 78F.
Can you post picture? Another thing that can trigger heavy shedding is a drastic change in water quality. How long have you had Filbert? Do you have a basking area with proper lighting?

[KatieSmeltzer]

I don't have any pictures yet (someone's borrowing my camera). I've had him about a month and there is a basking area. But I'm not sure if he actually uses it or not because he's still jumpy around me when I walk near his tank (or into the room for that matter). I did change out all of the water in his tank the last time, but I used the same ol' tap water from before.

[jozzep]

You should use a digital thermometer and put the sensor on the opposite side of the tank from where the heater is to get a true temperature reading.
shedding is normal......

[theartbook35]

Sometimes, when you change a turtle's environment, whether dramatically or just a little bit, they go through natural physical changes. I guess you could call that their way of adapting to something new.

75 is a fantastic temperature for a hatchling, and like Bulldog said, it can go up to 78 no problem.

My mother keeps asking me if my turtles have a "disease", because until this morning, Hurricane was swimming around with a flap of shed skin still stuck to her chin. I don't think, in her whole life, she's ever dealt with any sort of reptile. I purposely pointed out this site to her, so she could come and check everything out and ask questions. She loves them a lot and is really fascinated by them.

[KatieSmeltzer]

I just bought 2 new thermometers, one for the water (opposite corner of the tank) and one for the basking area.

Both water thermometers are still reading 75*F and the basking area is between 84 and 86*F. I'm going out and buying a UVB light today, and I'm just sorry that it took me so long to get one.

Another side question... Does excessive shedding *hurt* a turtle? (Like, do they feel pain from it??? I should think that I would...)

[theartbook35]

I just bought 2 new thermometers, one for the water (opposite corner of the tank) and one for the basking area.

Both water thermometers are still reading 75*F and the basking area is between 84 and 86*F. I'm going out and buying a UVB light today, and I'm just sorry that it took me so long to get one.

Another side question... Does excessive shedding *hurt* a turtle? (Like, do they feel pain from it??? I should think that I would...)

I would assume having vulnerable layers of skin would probably hurt somewhat. I do know that excessive shedding can lead to various skin infections.