General Care Discussion :: Not Shedding at All?

[SINI5T3R]

I have had my RES for about a month now. and I have YET to see them shed there shells once. when there smaller is it hard to find pieces of the shell in the water or how does that all work?

I right now do not have the cash to buy them UVB Bulbs so im just using some regular fish lights right next to there basking area just so it makes them dry (there is alot of residual heat coming off those bulbs so it does dry them pretty quick) and I do try to give them a little sun every day but its hard for me to leave them outside alone because we have VERY large birds here in Arizona that would love to eat them.

I know my turtles are growing cuz they are getting alot bigger then when i got them but i have yet to see any sort of shell shedding at all, or if they did, i have not found ANY shell pieces at all in there tank. I HAVE seen them shedding the skin around there neck and legs and stuff tho.

[Turtle Mummy 101]

I have the same issue with Charlotte - I will have had her for 3 months next week. She sheds her skin but not her scutes.

SINI5T3R: I don't think it's anything to be concerned about, as long as they are shedding a little bit I think its ok, no?

[worldpeace]

When they are little (under a year old) they probably won't shed they scutes but shed their skin a lot. My Charlie is 8 months old and he didn't shed at all. I've also just rescued a turtle that is almost 2 years old and the second day just shed 2 scutes. I guess it depends greatly on how fast they grow, diet, lighting.

So SINI5T3R you have nothing to worry about this early in the game.

[Turtle Mummy 101]

Thank you for clearing this up worldpeace

[papoopeepoo]

My turtle is almost 2 years old and has only begun to shed recently. Her shell is healthy and looks great. She basks for hours each day.

It really does depend on water quality, diet, and lighting like worldpeace said.

[mikee]

Sin-3R - The overall health of your turtle depends on the proper lighting in the basking area. The heat and uvb lighting initiates the metabolism that is necessary for their health. Keep the basking area at 90 to 91 degrees with uvb lighting.