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When we rescued our RES just about a week ago, I noticed the edges of his shell curved upwards a bit. Is this normal?

I ask because his shell is NOT curved upwards anymore. Is this a cause for concern?

As I mentioned in my intro post, he was a 'rescue' of sorts...a customer gave him to my husband because he was not properly caring for the RES and knew he would die. His tank was FILTHY and he was ONLY being fed box turtle pellets. He had NO filter, no UVA/UVB light and no heat or basking light. I am AMAZED this turtle survived for 2.5 years in that condition.

Since we brought him home, his living conditions and nutrition has changed for the better (obviously! ). UVA/UVB light, filter, water heater, basking area, proper nutrition, etc.

So which is normal...curved edges or no curved edges? Is the fact that the shell appears to have changed a cause for concern?

It's not normal for the edges to be curled upwards, but it seems very odd that it would change in only a week. What is the shell's condition? Is it hard? How big is the turtle? I didn't see your first post, so sorry if you answered these questions already. Would you happen to have any pictures?

octpusgirl8 wrote:It's not normal for the edges to be curled upwards, but it seems very odd that it would change in only a week. What is the shell's condition? Is it hard? How big is the turtle? I didn't see your first post, so sorry if you answered these questions already. Would you happen to have any pictures?

No pics yet...

Donatello's shell is about 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches. His previous owner said he'd had him for 2.5 years. The shell seems hard and in otherwise good condition (from what I've read on here about what a healthy shell should be like).

That's small for a 2.5 year old turtle, but not suprising if he hadn't been getting good care. I'm just a little confused as to how the shell could have changed shape so quickly. Did he shed any scutes?

Yes, he is shedding scutes.

Like I mentioned before, I am SHOCKED he was able to live in his previous conditions. When my husband brought him home that night, I was pretty sure we were going to wake up to a dead turtle in the morning...he was lethargic and just didn't look well at all. Much to our surprise, we woke up to a MUCH happier turtle, who was happily swimming around in his nice, clean tank...he also has THOROUGHLY been enjoying having a basking rock and light.

He is quite the character...and I have to stop myself from feeding him every time he swims over to the side of his tank and stares at me he's just so darn cute (and here my husband thought he was bringing home a new pet for the kids....)

Hmm maybe there was a buildup of unshed scutes that was giving the shell a weird shape. Anyway, good job on the rescue! It's amazing what these little guys can live through! My turtle began life in one of those little lagoons, and lived for several years after that in a 20 gal aquarium with no heater or basking lights (he wasn't mine then of course!). He was stunted and had a messed up shell when i got him, but otherwise healthy. It's so rewarding to know that you've saved an intelligent and long-lived animal from a life of misery. I'm sure Donatello already loves you for the improvements you're made in his habitat!

octpusgirl8 wrote:Hmm maybe there was a buildup of unshed scutes that was giving the shell a weird shape. Anyway, good job on the rescue! It's amazing what these little guys can live through! My turtle began life in one of those little lagoons, and lived for several years after that in a 20 gal aquarium with no heater or basking lights (he wasn't mine then of course!). He was stunted and had a messed up shell when i got him, but otherwise healthy. It's so rewarding to know that you've saved an intelligent and long-lived animal from a life of misery. I'm sure Donatello already loves you for the improvements you're made in his habitat!

Thanks I like to think Donatello loves me, but my husband is convinced it's just because I'm the one who feeds him Either way, I'm hooked!

It's crazy what these little guys can survive!

It sounds like shedding the marginal scutes may have improved the appearance of the shell and the edges don't look like they're lifting relative to what they were before. The raised edges are usually the result of a poor diet, often too much protein. Give him a balanced, varied diet and provide him with a good habitat. It sounds like you're doing that . He's lucky that he's got you to care for him.