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Hi
I wanted to know if my turtle's shell is pyramiding.
I'm kind of worried..because it looks like it is..=/
Here are some pics:









Can anyone tell me if he's pyramiding or not?

The pics are awfully bright and it's hard to get a good look at the shell, but, if by pyramiding you're referring to the pointed area down the spine, this isn't pyramiding. Hatchling's shells often have that pointed look and it lessens as the turtle grows and fills out.

Pyramiding is when each individual scute (plate) is raised, giving the shell a bumpy appearance. I don't see that from the pics you provided.

Oh..I see!
Thank you so much! ^^

Why is "pyramiding" a problem?

Pyramiding is a type of shell deformity. Usually when pyramiding is going on, the turtle has other growth related issues as well. When the shell isn't shaped right, a turtle's internal organs get squeezed and damaged, resulting in premature death. Pyramiding is one sign of a dietary imbalance such as too much protein. Turtles bodies aren't designed to process a lot of protein, so an excess over time is hard on organs like kidneys. Another type of problem occurs when a turtle doesn't get enough calcium in his diet, or doesn't get to bask under good UVB light. The result is metabolic bone disease and soft shell, which also result in death if not corrected.

My red ear sliders are about 3 months old. They pretty much like your turtle.. I've only had them for about 2 weeks, maybe 3.. I mean I fed them the pellets a lot in the beginning what can I say I was fascinated by them I wanted to watch them eat + I was scared they were going to be too scared of me to bother eating. Now after adding in the basking + uvb lamp and the basking rock.. I sometimes put lettuce in the tank. A whole piece.. they just nibble on it if they can cause they're really small the lettuce floats away from them before they can get a good little bite of it. I take the lettuce out the next day. But whenever I see them searching for food I give them pellets. Now after reading forums it says that you shouldn't give in to their begging. They have the pointed upwards spine and I'm really worried if that's pyramiding. The rest of them is smooth, but how come their shell looks like that all of a sudden? Is it something I'm doing wrong?

I know I need to get a bigger tank. I mean they're like just over the size of a toonie, I've got them in a 10 gallon but I'm working on my jar of turtle funds for a 55 gallon or 75 at least.

- CD

I understand its a shell deformity.. But what is it really supposed to look like? This is the only forum I've seen that talks about the spine of a little turtle.. I'm just concerned I'm doing something wrong is all..

This is a pretty old topic, but the "spine" that they're talking about is a slight vertical ridge on the top of the shell. You can see the location of ridge in this picture:


It's also less visible when they become older.

So its supposed to be like that? Yes the vertebral is the part I'm talking about.. its noticeable like the person's picture above. I've seen pictures of older red ear sliders where the shell is completely smooth so I'm just making sure that yes, it is supposed to look like the pictures above, no its nothing I'm doing wrong, and yes they will be smooth with no pointed vertebral when they're older.. o-o. I'm learning now that I'm only supposed to feed them as much as their head could hold if it was hallow.. Wish someone at a pet store would've told me that 2 or 3 weeks ago..

That's very informative Steve.

Yes, it will smoothen out over time. Welcome to the site!

Thanks Love of Animals! I really enjoy making turtle-related graphics

You made that? It was really helpful! Thanks so much for your help and for reassuring me! Will be sure to keep you posted on how their doing and in regards to anymore questions I have about them

You're welcome! Yes, I made all the graphics