General Care Discussion

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 4:49 pm **Stubborn Painted Turtle Shell**

Gurgi has reached 3 inches and his shell is still not smoothing out. He has become a little escape artist too - so time for me to make him a ATBA.

He loves veggies, majority of the time I give him red leaf, which he has access to every day. I also give him 6 pellets Mon. Wed. Fri. only.

Any ideas? Or do painteds just have stubborn shells?

55 gallon, heater keeping water at 76°, basking temp 86, UV bulb. Only issue with water is higher nitrates than I would like. Amonia 0 - nitrites 0 - pH stays around 8.

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 7:27 pm **Re: Stubborn Painted Turtle Shell**

It could take many years and still not be as smooth as you're hoping. Sounds like he's doing great though.

Posted: Wed Mar 06, 2013 7:46 pm **Re: Stubborn Painted Turtle Shell**

Thanks for the reply and reassurance Steve!

I can't wait for warmer weather... going to see if natural sun bathing will help! I'll also stop looking at pictures of other painted turtles - their shells are just so smooth. I feel like I might be doing something incorrect with Gurgi. I'll start focusing on how healthy he and his shell is otherwise.

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 3:01 am **Re: Stubborn Painted Turtle Shell**

I think we all make a lot of mistakes when we first start out, but the main thing is that they're healthy now. I'm sure he'll love the sun!

Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:23 am **Re: Stubborn Painted Turtle Shell**

Looks fine to me, the new growth looks smooth just a little rough from when he was a hatchling. My first painted looked much worse then yours and when i finally corrected his diet and his shell turned perfectly smooth as an adult. With every shed you should see it get smoother and smoother like i always say.

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 9:00 am **Re: Stubborn Painted Turtle Shell**

LOL - I guess I am the one being stubborn!

Thanks so much Diamondback, I am confident in your appraisal and will be wait it out.

Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 5:09 pm **Re: Stubborn Painted Turtle Shell**

Gurgi's Mom wrote:LOL - I guess I am the one being stubborn! Thanks so much Diamondback, I am confident in your appraisal and will be wait it out.

Maybe haha, all the painteds ive ever raised some kept a bumb where baby scute was for awhile. Sometimes its just the turtle. Of the 8 painteds i raised one year. Some were perfectly smooth others kept some bumpy look for a little.

Just keep shedding. ^_^

General Care Discussion :: Stubborn Painted Turtle Shell

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