General Care Discussion :: Yellowing around the edges of shell

[Jill]

Hi there -

My daughters older RES is gradually getting yellow around the edges of his shell.

He's eating OK - I give him the turtle pellets and some of the shrimp. I have tried to introduce some greens and they are not liking it but I try. He seems happy. He is basking in the correct light and it's approximately five inches from the top of his shell. I change the water weekly and treat it for hard chemicals.



I figure it's food or light but can't figure out which.

Anyone else have this issue? The smaller one isn't really yellow so I am confused.

Thanks a bunch!

Jill[/img]

[blackforces get you]

i think it looks like they need to shed. and their might be dirt from the water or something and it makes it yellow. let them shed and then see how it looks afterwards

[Jill]

Is there something I have to do to "let" them shed?

The water is cleaned once a week and I have a good filter on it.

Thanks for the fast reply!

[marisa]

It's caused by the old scute being pushed outward as the new one grows. The edge of the shell becomes translucent yellow.

[Kemul]

Is there something I have to do to "let" them shed?

Food rich in vitamin E (e.g. blueberry) and lots of UVB (sunshine is best). Calcium
helps a lot too, but I doubt hatchlings like to eat cuttlebone. If you feed the turtles
Reptomin, it has calcium already.

In the end, scute shedding is a patience thing. Just keep waiting.

[Jill]

I am so thrilled they will be OK. I love these little guys more than my daughter.

How much sunshine per day would you recommend?

I do feed them Reptomin and there is a cuttle bone in their tank. I'll try blueberries...they have NO interest in the dandelion greens.

[gwennie]

Even if they have no interest, keep offering them dark leafy greens like romaine lettuce & dandelion greens - eventually they'll take to it. If nothing, they like to float on it! lol

Regarding the sunshine - about 20 minutes of good sunshine is probably equivalent to 12 hours under the uvb light, so every little bit helps. Just make sure they don't overheat out in the sun, or they can die.

[Jill]

I was tearing the dandelion into little pieces...should I just float a leaf instead?

I will sit in the sun with them so no longer than 20 to 30 minutes. Thanks again!

[marisa]

I'd just let the leaf float. Sometimes they tear it into bits themselves and then eat the pieces.

If you take your RES out two or three times a week for the time you plan to, his UVB needs will have been met. It would be good to have a shaded area he can go to.

[Jill]

Thanks for your help all! I appreciate it.

[theartbook35]

Turtles tend to turn yellow on the edges when they need to shed. I seem to see a lot of hatchlings do this. Mine have done it, and now they are really shedding their shells big time.