General Care Discussion :: Shell Check-Up

[queenjane]

Is this normal for an RES' shell to appear shades of green and brown?
(These photos were taken under a 100 watt lightbulb.)

Someone mentioned a while back that her shell seemed flat. (Keep in mind she is partially underwater in first photo, and this distorts the light/photo.) Does she look flat or deformed, and is there any indication of pyramiding?





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I have more photos posted on this thread: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20374

[BullDog]

RES's shells will darken as they age. Adult's shells can range in colour from light brown to almost black. Yours looks just fine! I don't see any evidence of pyramiding, though it looks like she's due to shed.

[queenjane]

She's in the process of shedding. I just think it's odd that she's a little brownish these days. She'll be a year old in March!

[mikee]

Queen-J -- Your turtle look normal. Are you using a uvb light and is it fresh? I does look like some scutes are about to come off. m.

[queenjane]

Yeah, I'm using a UVB light... I've had it since last June... Is it expired? :/

I hardly think that it's quit working, since it seems to aggravate my turtle's eyes constantly.

[Caphits]

Yes, its expired.

Most people replace them ever 6-8 months....unless you meant June 2008, in which case, it is probably still working for a little bit, but due for a replacement very soon.

[queenjane]

Yeah, I meant 2008.


... Crap. Turtles are friggin expensive!

[Caphits]

... Crap. Turtles are friggin expensive!

I know that! You could probably wait a couple months still.... its recommended 6-8 months

[marisa]

Looks fine to me. A good shedding, and she will appear more colorful (but not green), at least for a while.

[SpotsMama]

Queenjane, I may have been the one that mentioned a flattened look, but it was just because the view was distorted by the water. In the photos on this link where she's out of the water she has a nice dome shape - not flattened at all. So I take back what I said about flattened.

[queenjane]

Oh, SpotsMama, don't worry about it. I wasn't offended or anything, I just wanted to be sure she was in good health.