General Care Discussion :: Shell conditions

[Sniffa]

Two of my turtles seem to have issues in their shells.


Mr turtle seems to be shedding. But i don't know for sure what shedding looks like so i was hoping you guys could tell me if it was shedding or not.




And the next turtle seems to have what looks like white scrapes on the shell.



Any info at all would be great

[Kemul]

I'm not 100% sure about the second turtle, but looks like both of them are shedding.
Keep offering cuttlebone, pellets, veggies, and vitamin E food (like blueberry).
Make sure they both have good chances to bask under UVB or sun, drying both
top and bottom shells.

When in water, some parts of the shell will look silver. Those are air trapped under
the scutes. The shedding will last weeks to months.

[marisa]

Both of them look like some shedding is going on, and they both really need to shed. The white areas on the second turtle look like abrasions. Anything in the tank that the shell could have rubbed against?

[Sniffa]

Yeah i do have some rocks in the tank that could explain the rubbed marks.

As far as shedding goes is there anything i need to do to help them shed?

[Kemul]

As far as shedding goes is there anything i need to do to help them shed?

Keep offering cuttlebone, pellets, veggies, and vitamin E food (like blueberry).
Make sure they both have good chances to bask under UVB or sun, drying both
top and bottom shells.

I suggested that already.

Just DON'T force the shedding by pulling the loose scutes. I know, it's very very
tempting to do so.

[Sniffa]

I tried blue berries today and Bob loved it! he was going from end to end of the tank getting every little piece left in there. i think he may have ate too much :O
My other turtles didn't care for the berries at all. I'm going to try putting the berry in the pellet container to give it the pellet smell and see if they'll go for it then.

[mikee]

Snif -- I would suggest that you check on your uvb lighting and basking temp.
Watch the diet in regards to too much proteins and over feeding. Along with that I would add some calcium to the diet. m.