General Care Discussion :: Turtle Shell Peeling

[pan1k]

Hey guys first post here. I just 'inherited' a red eared slider. I love this little turtle, I think it's about 6mo-8mo old. The shell is about 6 inches or so. I just got it a new tank and noticed that the shell is peeling ever since I got it a turtle dock. Is this normal, I figure it's because the turtle is growing.

[Kallistos]

I really don't think an 8 month old turtle would be 6 inches long. More like 3-4 year old. If you're providing a sufficient basking area, then the shell peeling is completely normal. Turtles will shed their scutes and a new healthy shell will be under it.

Make sure there's not white fungus or any open wounds. Do a shell take every so often. < healthy shell

[pan1k]

Ok. Thanks. I just want the RES to be happy I brush the shell once a week while i'm changing the water.

[marisa]

If he wasn't in the best of conditions before you got him, and now he has a turtle dock and proper lighting to basking under, the dock/new habitat could be be responsible for the shedding, but this is a good thing.