General Care Discussion :: shell problem

[holmeed]

Got 2 young res (4 inches) in late april. The male got away.

I have the female but she won't bask in the sun anymore. Her shell is getting soft it seems. I Keep her outdoors in day in big cattle tub but she just wants to hide. Not much noise around here either way out in the woods like we are.

Indoors I have a 90 gallon pond liner with heater, filter, air stone and light. But she is too freaked out to come out to bask like I said.

What do I do? Have to force her into being in the sun? I have been leaving her in a small kiddie pool with a little water so she will get some sun. Why so freaked out I wonder?

[steve]

If she's 4" and getting a soft shell, it could be pretty serious. This could be a diet problem, not just a basking issue. Some info here: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medshell.htm

[holmeed]

If she's 4" and getting a soft shell, it could be pretty serious. This could be a diet problem, not just a basking issue. Some info here: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medshell.htm

wow not much more I can do. These are the most HIGH maintenance creatures on the planet and should NOT be pets. I could kill my wife for getting me these. Clean water, lighting, filter, heater, expensive food STILL not enough,this is why I didn't have kids!

Not much more I can do..... these are FREAKED out creatures in captivity. I will have to force my res to get some light I guess. I'm sure thats the problem. She is too timid to come out to bask. She did when I had the male, but now just trys to hide.

[holmeed]

The more I read here the more I am 110% sure they should NOT be pets. Why do we do this to these creatures?

The way I read it how would they make it in the wild????? EVERYTHING has to be PERFECT for them to exist!

I would have to hire someone to give this creature what it needs. Reading about the shell problems.. changing water 4 times? I have her in a 90 gallon tank. Thats impossible time wise. Vets? I have 9 cats and a dog...

You would just have to have a turtle then with the needs of it...no time for any other pets it looks like.

Oh food I give her reptomin, nutrafin max, earth worms and meal worms, strawberrys all she likes.

Wont touch flowers, veggies, lettuce yet..

Have this expensive light up now indoors as its getting colder out. She will never go under it Ill bet. Its a 160 w power sun uv

18 inches above basking rock... Her shell isnt all soft, just a corner is a little soft. Now I read when they are this small they will have a softer shell? She needs light.. Like I said Ill have to force her to bask? And does she need a air stone in her tank like I have?

Thanks for any help

[my.lovely.turtle.]

Why do we do this to these creatures?

Then what do you think about keeping cats and dogs... are they better to your liking because you just have them in your house forget about them. Yes turtles are some work but it`s very rewarding. Mine is very happy swimming around and basking when we are not around. I honestly think he is one happy little turtle. So to each their own.....

Lighten up! Have a nice day.

[holmeed]

"Mine is very happy swimming around and basking" ..........

"when we are not around."

So they are freaked out too when their is movement?


The only ones Ive ever seen are freaked out! Thats my 2 and the ones I have seen elsewhere..

Oh and no cleaning 6 cat boxes EVERY day is work...and vacuuming the hair etc.. feeding them.. anyway..

Wonder If I should just keep the light on at night then when there is no movement? Instead of the day?

I disagree though. ALL reptiles should be in the wild.. they are not pets..Thats only MO... take it with a grain of salt..

However my wife got me these 2 RES .. so I am trying very hard to keep the one that didnt get away happy...

I'm really trying. She has a nice setup.

If they are this high maintenance, I think that should tell us something?

[my.lovely.turtle.]

I believe that it's their instinct to "slide" away when they feel like even the slightest threat. Some are just more skittish than others.

I agree with you, that is your opinion, and my opinion is that I think cats and dogs would be alot more work than my turtle! To each their own for sure.

I'm am glad you're trying even though you feel as though they should be out in the wild.

The temperature in the basking area needs to be about ten degrees higher than the water for the turtle to want to bask. The area needs to be easily accessible and the turtle needs privacy for it to want to bask. A good trick is putting food on the basking area and check if it's gone later to know that the turtle has been on the basking area. Maybe putting some kind of walls up by the basking will alow her to feel more secure and safe. hmm, that's all I can think of at the moment.

[methos75]

Too each their own, My Turtles are as much a pet as my Shiba. They beg for food, they come to me and swim in my hands when I place them in their tanks, each has their favorite snack, they are never shy and will bask and eat with me planted face first in their glass watching. I think maybe the problem lies with you, and how much attention you are giving them because your experience doesn't mirror most here.

[marisa]

Generally, a hatchling up to around a year of age will tend to have a more pliable shell. A turtle with a shell length of 4 inches should not.

I'm sorry, but reading in between the lines here, I'm wondering if you really want this turtle. Did you plan to have turtles or was this your wife's idea and you're doing your best to care for an animal you didn't really want?

You sound like you've been trying really hard to provide for your RES. BUT, if this is not a creature you truly do not want to keep, it would be good to consider finding a home for her with someone who wants to care for her. Everyone would be happier in the long run...