General Care Discussion :: Squirts shell check in.

[Chrisbarnett]

Okay, Sorry for beating this type of thread to death, but I just want to put my mind at ease because I tend to think about his shell way too much. So here's a completely dry photo of his shell. Does his shell look nice and healthy to you? I think he is due for a shed, it's been a month and a half since his last full on shed.

Thanks everyone.

[Raphulk]

sorry chris, i have no input about the shell.
but i was thinking that since there are a lot of members who post pictures about their turtles shells asking if its ok, maybe there should be a sticky like
"turtle shell question here"

i dont know if thats practical. but it seems like it would save some space in making new topics for everytime a new member has a question about the shell

jsut a thought

[TheComputerGremlin]

Looks good to me, seems very flat and smooth, no sharp edges. Do you know how frequently they are supposed to shed? I had assumed that once per year was frequent enough. My turtle's been with me for almost a year with no shedding yet ...

[Chrisbarnett]

I'm not really sure how long they are supposed to go between sheds. I thought I read somewhere that they shed once every 2 months or so.. But I'm not sure. Actually looking at him in the water right now, he doesn't look close to shedding. So I was probably wrong. Lol.

But I know that him being with me for less than a year, Since late December, he has full on shed twice.

[octpusgirl8]

I don't know the time periods, but i know that they shed more frequently while they're growing, and less often once they're full size.

[SpotsMama]

He sure is sweet.

He does look to me like he needs to shed. Also, it looks like he's retained scutes instead of shedding frequently. And it looks like he's had some uneven shedding recently - do you see where the carapace looks like it's been etched? I think that's where part of the thin layer that's supposed to shed has flaked off but part has not.

Be sure he gets plenty of good UVB light (what brand, strength and wattage of UVB bulb do you have, and how long have you had it?). Be sure he has plenty of calcium in his diet (ie, cuttlebone). Also provide him with foods that contain vitamin e, which helps a shell to shed. Here are some good ones:

Tomato
Sweet potato
Turnip greens
Blueberries
Apple skin

Also, be sure he basks frequently and, when he does, be sure he dries off completely - top and bottom. This is also essential for a healthy shell.

I don't know about the frequency of shedding in a normal healthy young turtle because my turtle had shell problems when he was young and didn't shed at all. A healthy adult doesn't normally shed more than once a year, and less often the older he/she gets.

[Chrisbarnett]

He sure is sweet.

He does look to me like he needs to shed. Also, it looks like he's retained scutes instead of shedding frequently. And it looks like he's had some uneven shedding recently - do you see where the carapace looks like it's been etched? I think that's where part of the thin layer that's supposed to shed has flaked off but part has not.

That's what I was thinking. But the odd thing about that is that both of his sheds have been the typical nice thin clear ish wafer like scutes.

Be sure he gets plenty of good UVB light (what brand, strength and wattage of UVB bulb do you have, and how long have you had it?). Be sure he has plenty of calcium in his diet (ie, cuttlebone).

He has a ESU reptile slimline fixture. It's a 15watt 7% UVB tube flourescent. I have had it from day one of getting him in december. He always has cuttlebone available, and eats it like a champ. I throw a 2 head size piece of cuttlebone in there and it's gone within the week.

Also provide him with foods that contain vitamin e, which helps a shell to shed. Here are some good ones:

Tomato
Sweet potato
Turnip greens
Blueberries
Apple skin

Thanks!

Also, be sure he basks frequently and, when he does, be sure he dries off completely - top and bottom. This is also essential for a healthy shell.

Oh yeah, he basks alright. He for sure dries off top and bottom. He basks for usually about 4-6 hours a day.

Thanks for the help spotsmama.

[octpusgirl8]

If i'm not mistaken, flourescent UVB lights need to be replaced every 6 months as they gradually begin to put out less UVB. Maybe tubes are different, i had always used compact fixtures, but it's something to check out.

[PcBuilder14]

The one I have is supposed to be changed once a year and it's a compact.

[Chrisbarnett]

Mine says it needs to be replaced every 8-10 months. I've had it for 6, plus a few weeks.

[lilsisofwwf]

Im gonna have to give a picture of mine..I'm pretty sure she's keeping the scutes..

[bently11]

So wait- they shed the scale things on their shell? I got Bently in last August and no shedding from him yet...

[Chrisbarnett]

Yes they shed the scutes on their shells. Your turtle may be retaining scutes. Can you post a picture of his shell completely dry from the top or side? Post in this thread or start a new one. We should be able to tell you what's up.