General Care Discussion :: Scutes Just Wont Shed!

[Meta]

For like a year now, my turtle has scutes that look like they are sooo ready to just pop off, but they just wont. And in some spots my turtle has not only the top layer nearly off, but the layer under that nearly off, so its like it has 2 layers of scutes that are wanting to come off, but just wont.

i have uvb and its not blocked by anything, i use eggcrate so the holes are big enuff.

wat can i do? im gonna start taking my turtle outside for some real sun

[TheComputerGremlin]

I hear ya! My turtle is over 5", I've had her for almost 2 years now, and not a scute to be shed!

First, you want to check to make sure none of them are retained or otherwise damaged. If they are, I think you probably want to visit a vet. Mine aren't retained, so I let her go.

Other than that, you want to make sure your UVB bulb is less than 8 months old, make sure it's unobstructed, and bump up the cuttlebone and blueberry intake. Otherwise, it's just a waiting game ... I'm still waiting too!

[BullDog]

Patience is a virtue! I'm going through the same thing with Frankie, who I've had for about 18 months. She's got retained scutes. There's two scutes that look like they'd just pop right off, but they're still on there solidly.
She's now shed two whole scutes, though not in the places I'd expect! I've gotten some vitamin E into her with the turtle jello shots. And she's been outside a couple of times for some real sunshine. I think it all helps.

[marisa]

Basking in unfiltered sunlight should do wonders for the shell.