General Care Discussion :: Shedding and not basking

[Betty]

Hi all,

First of all thanks again for the help with my last qustions, putting two RES's together.

Next problem I am having is that Myrtle is shedding quite a bit and she is not basking very much. Any idea's as to what could be going on?

[steve]

Shedding a lot of skin? What are the water temps?

[Betty]

We had it at 82 and then thought maybe it might be to high so we dropped it to 78.

[steve]

That would contribute to it. If the turtle is a hatchling, you can leave it at 78. The baking area should be approx 10F warmer than the water. Being in the warm water constantly will contribute it. The corrections however, it will not entirely eliminate the situation

[Betty]

Myrtle is 1 1/2 years old, do you think we should put the temp. down lower than 78? How about the shedding, could not basking contribute to shedding?

[Cosmo]

since it has already been brought up...my turtle isn't basking either...i have a dock for him and he doesn't go anywhere near it! i've had maurice for about 2 weeks now. he's not shedding though and his water and basking temps are normal (according to what you said steve). also i have the UVB dome lamp and a regular heating lamp on the dock...still he just doesn't like it. anyone got any ideas?

info would be awesome! thanx!

[grey goose]

Maurice just needs to get used to his new surroundings and you....don't hover over him and stare, you'll make him nervous. Just go about your daily routine until he adjusts.
My three kids are just under one year old and I keep the temp at 76F. It drops about 1 deg. overnight (winter).....try dropping the temp slowly to 76, it may encourage him to bask. The shedding most times is caused by too warm water temps and/or overfeeding.

[Betty]

How often should you feed? We feed Myrtle twice a day, 6:30 am and about 6:30 pm. A little ReptoMins and some small shrimp, then sometimes a snack of a few meal worms mid-day.

[grey goose]

Whoa, way too much protein! Give him the reptomin every other day, about the amount that would fit inside his head if hollow.....lay off the shrimp and meal worms, very high in protein and fat. Use only as a rare (once a month, if that) treat (or bribe). Although he probably won't eat it right away, offer green leafy vegetables every day. My guys love Romaine. Also give him cuttlebone everyday as a calcium supplement....they are expert beggars, don't give in to their phony pleas for food......

[grey goose]

Also check out the stickys in the Feeding and Nutrition section. Tells you what to give, and what not to give to your turt.

[Cosmo]

ok, that sounds like it should make sense...i just hope he grows out of it because basking is a good thing right?

also, with the food thing...i just read over what it said in the Feeding and Nutrition section and it says to only feed your turtle every other day with the pellets and to have veggies every day. just thought i would say that!

[marisa]

Cosmo, you might also put something around the tank where the basking area is so that your turtle has some privacy when he basks. If you've gotten him recently and he's adjusting, a barrier may give him more confidence to bask.

[Cosmo]

awesome thanx