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I was curious what you think of Hurley's shell. Mind you he is shedding the scutes nicely, they are pealing back pretty good when he is fully dry and he has been basking a lot more often and longer. I think he just wants the old shell off already, I don't know.

What do you think?




Also, that extra scute on the back towards the bottom...how does that happen? I see everyone else's kids and they are all symmetrical on the backs, but mine has an added little patch. Should I be worried? He is a little over 3 years old already and looks nice and healthy.

Thanks for looking and your thoughts.

By his plastron, it looks like he's gone through a growth spurt recently, but it looks like he is starting to shed, as you say.
It looks quite good, and he has really nice colour!

I'm not sure how the extra scutes happen. It's usually something they've had since they're hatchlings, and it certainly is not cause for alarm. Just makes Hurley unique and extra special

In the fist pic does he still have a baby swirl? Other than that his shell looks great.

I think Hurley's shell is beautiful. He has some of the most vibrant coloring.

Take-One wrote:In the fist pic does he still have a baby swirl?

Yeah I noticed that too. He does still have them, up by the neck is where you mean right? Does that ever go away?

Kristel - Hurley's markings and colors are really beautiful! He looks so healthy and vibrant!

Reel Girl wrote:Kristel - Hurley's markings and colors are really beautiful! He looks so healthy and vibrant!

Thanks so much! We are definitely doing our best for him an I guess it's showing

Take-One wrote:In the fist pic does he still have a baby swirl? Other than that his shell looks great.

what is a baby swirl?

I keep seeing new terms I've never heard before! I'm new to turtles, this is my first one! I need to learn all these terms.

if it's not a hassle, could someone tell me what some different terms mean? or would you rather have me come across them and ask?

I'm guessing they're referring to the pattern on the underside of the marginals.

Extra scutes seem somewhat common (my male has an extra marginal) and they certainly add to their individuality! He's never had a problem shedding it.

He does have a bit of algae that I would be tempted to remove. And what's that thing to the left in the first pic? Looks like a tank mate of Hurley's had just escaped!

steve wrote: what's that thing to the left in the first pic? Looks like a tank mate of Hurley's had just escaped!

lol it does! i didnt notice that at first!

HAha, it's a fake turtle that hangs off the side. LOL. Every freaks when they see it thinking it's real. It's funny as hell to see!

That's gotta be one of the most unique shells I have ever seen. It's fitting for a unique turtle like Hurley!

lol @ first pic: those turtle legs look very real

Such a handsome guy!! By the looks of him you are a fabulous turtle keeper!

If Hurleys is already 3 then I doubt he will lose the baby swirl. And a baby swirl is a marking on the plastron that looks like a swirl

He's going to look nice when he sheds those scutes. Where has he shed them already?

I have an Eastern Painted that has an extra scute exactly where your RES has.