General Care Discussion :: White lines in seams of plastron.

[adam85491]

Recently, I noticed my little turtle, which by the way I don't know what kind he is, has these littles white lines in his plastron, which I believe is the bottom part of his shell. It does not come off and his behavior has not changed for the worse, in fact, he seems to be more active. Is this normal? I would like to post a picture but I cannot.

[Pizza]

I don't know the reason for this for your turtle, but just throwing out a guess, add too much of a white substance into the water? Chlorine or calcium buildup? Best way for the forum to help you is post a clear picture of your turtle's shell dry.

[adam85491]

I know, but I just can't do that. I don't use a water condition but then again, I have never had this problem before. He is like a red ear slider, but has no red ears and has more yellow lines on his neck. His bottom is also orange. I think it could be because he is growing. I recently got a better set-up and he eats more, and I even started giving him some veggies, so I think it could be because he is growing.

[Pizza]

Well seeing as it isn't a RES, it's best to find out the exact species of your turtle, then see if it is the norm for that species.

Could it be a Yellow-Bellied Slider or Painted Turtle (They have more orange-tinted plastrons, though they have deep red markings on their arms and legs)?

[steve]

austinsturtlepage.com has a wide assortment of turtle info and pics. You would be able to have a better chance to visually confirm the type you have.

[marisa]

When you say white lines, are they in between the individual scutes (the seam)? If so, this area does become lighter/whitish when growth is occuring (as it does on the carapace/top shell). Is it more visible in the water?

If your turtle is like a RES but just lacks the red ears, he's not a painted turtle.

[adam85491]

Yes, it is like in between the scutes on the bottom. It is visible in the water, I guess more so in the water.

[marisa]

It sounds like he's growing. Did you find out if he was definitely a RES?

[Pizza]

Adam, do the white seams in the plastron of your turtle look somewhat like this turtle's plastron?:

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7602

The last picture in the first post.

[marisa]

That's the seam and it's showing growth.

[adam85491]

Not really, Pizza.