General Care Discussion :: RES hatchling with a soft shell

[Pokey's Grandpa]

I have heard that certain kinds of lighting can make your turtles shell harden? I am a bit worried as my RES, Pokey, seems to have quite the soft shell and I am worried because although I have alot of turtle experience I have never had a hatchling. I know that many reptiles can benefit from a calcium dust... well, dusted lol onto their food. Would this help? Would it just come off in the water? What can I do?

Also, my turtle doesn't seem to be eating these pellets. I have had him less than 24 hours so maybe I just need to be patient but, what if he doesn't start eating and how long can he go without food?

[vieniebebe]

Don't get too worried yet.If your turtle is really young,it's normal to have a soft shell.Altough you do need to get a UVB lamp and cuttlebone,since it's the richest supplement of calcium.Also,don't be too worried about the turtle not eating.It needs to get used to the new environment.Mine didn't eat for 2-3 days,leaving the romm, and putting pellets in the dry place may help

[Pokey's Grandpa]

How do I "administer" the cuttlebone? Do I just sort of drop it in there or what? I am not sure what it is exactly, I better google image it haha

I am just afraid maybe he already hasn't been eating for days then I get him and he doesn't eat a few more days and I just don't want to end up with a starved turtle!!

[missibsu]

You'll want to peel the hard back off of the cuttlebone and break it into head size pieces.

If possible, it would be good to get him outside in the sunlight since you don't have UVB. Make sure there is constant supervision and a place in the shade that he can go.

[Pokey's Grandpa]

I live in Tucson and it's possibly well over 100 degrees right now, is this in any way detrimental to him? There is little in the way of shade but I could hang something up maybe and make some artificial shade for him? I just don't want the poor little fella to cook and then I would have to make him into a spoonful of turtle soup lol

[missibsu]

When taking him outside here are some things to consider.

The less amount of water he has, the faster it will heat up. Don't take him out in clear plastic, or glass. It was cause the water temp to rise even faster.
You can provide artificial shade using a piece of cardboard, etc. It may be more beneficial to take him out earlier in the day, or later, so that it isn't too hot.

[marisa]

Since the sun in AZ is strong, he doesn't have to be outside that long to benefit from the sun's rays. I'd stay with him while he's outside to make sure he's not getting too hot (read a newspaper or something). Monitoring the water temp and doing partial water change if it heats up too quickly is important. And make sure part of the container is in shade.

[Pokey's Grandpa]

Thanks alot for the advice!!