General Care Discussion :: Is her Shell Normal?

[fluffytheturtle]

I noticed this month she has been shedding very large pieces (scutes) at a time off her shell. They are in the pond. Today, the one in the middle came off when she walked under a lawn chair in our backyard. Under it, it was soft (my dad said because water was getting under the shedding skin). I also notice when she is in the water on that piece you can see white spots. I felt it when she was out of the water and her shell is hard, but under the spot she just shedded (which I think she shed before recently) was soft. Is she okay?

Pics below:



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[TurtleMan17]

Pics are a little fuzzy. Sorry i cant help

[jenaero]

Really hard to tell. Can you get better pics?

[fluffytheturtle]

I hope this is better

[fluffytheturtle]

And another:

[amazingcc]

Any part of the new shell should not be soft...

[fluffytheturtle]

oh no! What does this mean? What do I do?

[amazingcc]

Once a turtle sheds a scute, the shell underneath should be hard = healthy. If the new shell is soft underneath, it's time to see a vet. IF your turt has shell rot ( and I can't say for sure...), it can spread very rapidly.

[fluffytheturtle]

Well I touched it again and it is hard. There was alage on it before that I think was making it soft. What are the symptoms of shell rot and how do they get it?

[amazingcc]

Shell rot can becaused by inadequate water conditions and/or inadequate UVB exposure. The shell usually developes soft mushy spots, or you notice very dark (usually almost black) spots on the shell. Sometimes it can also develope an odor.