General Care Discussion :: Soft Shell...

[tauc87]

RES my mom's taking care of for my cousin. His shell is really soft and flobby. He's a baby. as small as a quarter....
Is it soft because he's small or because hes sick? Greeny's used to be soft but she grew and now its hard...

[rockstar]

when they are uhm.. 'fresh' hatchlings their shells tend to be a bit soft

[Tenodera]

Well hatchlings shells are supposed to be more flexible, but not flobby...

[rockstar]

.. how do you have a "flobby" shell?!

[xsavingsaturdayx]

If the turtle was being kept in bad conditions from the start (before you and your mom came in) then of course, they had no UVB light? Probably a small dirty tank?..nothing like greeny's setup right? Hatchlings shells are supposed to be a little soft, but not flobby, or 'too' soft, like you shouldnt be able to make a dent with your finger when you press down on it.

Get it a 5% UVB light, feed a variety of different foods and lots of food rich in calcium (and supplement with lots of cuttlebone and or a good reptile calcium supplement, jurassi cal is good) and offer natural sunlight whenever possible, the shell should harden up in a few weeks, if it doesnt, then you might want to go see a vet. Though a picture of the little baby you and your mom rescued would be nice, both the shell/plastron etc.

[tauc87]

Thanks guys!
Well his shell isn't flobby I just couldn't find another word for it. It is flexible. I'm gonna take him home and take care of him. I have the right set up. Greeny's spoiled. Lol
I hope he gets better. if not I'll have to take him to the vet.