General Care Discussion :: Unusual scute shedding. Normal?

[jwinters]

So I've had my RES for most of my life and he has somehow survived without a lot of things. He now has everything a healthy turtle needs. Since he started basking under a lamp, he has started shedding scutes faster then I've ever seen before. Some have even come off together. His shell looks healthy, but I'm concerned about the excessive shedding. His shell has pretty much turned brown over the years and with this recent shedding it has streaks of gold. Is this normal? Here are some pics of the shedded scutes:

[Diamondbacks4Life]

I would say that your turtle actually never shedded right before and now all traces of old scutes are coming off. There could be a couple layers he will go through until his shell is done.

The gold coloring usually is just signs of shedding.

[mikee]

jw-ers Your turtle need the proper lighting to shed properly. The basking area should be kept at 90 to 91 degrees with uvb lighting. The water should be about 74 to 77 degrees. Under good care their caracpace sheds constantly.

[planet.caravan]

I wish my turtle was shedding its marginal scutes like that!

[marisa]

That is great! One of my Eastern painteds is starting to shed similar to that. I wouldn't call that excessive shedding, just quick shedding. I much prefer it when the scutes come off quickly rather than one falling off here and there over time.

Scutes are shed as the turtle grows, so unless he's being fed in a manner that's encouraging fast growth (a no-no), once his scutes are shed, you'll be able to enjoy his beautiful "new" shell for a while.

[jwinters]

That is great! One of my Eastern painteds is starting to shed similar to that. I wouldn't call that excessive shedding, just quick shedding. I much prefer it when the scutes come off quickly rather than one falling off here and there over time.

Scutes are shed as the turtle grows, so unless he's being fed in a manner that's encouraging fast growth (a no-no), once his scutes are shed, you'll be able to enjoy his beautiful "new" shell for a while.

Lol, true, quick shedding would be a better way to put it. I'm not worrying any more. It's just that before they would come off one here and there over time. Don't worry, I'm feeding him like I'm supposed to. No more then the size of his head every other day. The baby turtle I have gets fed daily though.

[Joel194]

weird all stuck togethor?
2 layers maybe?