General Care Discussion :: Speedy recovery for color?

[frioverte]

Hi I was wondering how long it takes a turtle to re gain its bright shell's color. I had recieved a turtle from a friend who did not have proper UV lighting and the turtle's shell is brown and the turtle"s skin is not a bright green.. just wondering, cause I am waiting.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Well, they start off very green as hatchlings, but as they get older, they lose the green on the shell & become more coppery brown.

If any color will emerge on the shell, it could take several years, so you will have to be patient since the shell grows very slowly.

[SpotsMama]

My turtle was muddy brown when I got him as a hatchling because he was sick. He was supposed to have been bright green. Now he's three and a half and though he's still got some shell damage from the old days, he's basically black. He's still got pale yellow stripes on his skin and, of course, bright red stripes on the side and top of his head. He spent a lot of time outdoors in the sun last year and I think that tends to turn them blacker rather than the coppery brown that you see on the indoor turtles.

[Evelyn]

Yes the sun really helps with the color in turtles, fish and I guess even in the birds. You could fed fresh grated carrots, greens and see if you can find turtle pellets that have beta carotene added.
Evelyn

[marisa]

How old/big is the turtle? If he's bigger, then he's likely not going to gain back the vibrant green hatchlings have.

A good habitat, basking under proper lighting, and a good diet will improve his shell no matter what. Foods containing beta carotene like pumpkin, dandelions, red bell peppers, carrots, etc. will help enhance coloration.