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How can I tell if my turtle's shell is starting to become deformed? Like, starting to curve upward. I don't know if he's always looked the way he does or if I'm just being paranoid because I keep reading things. He's about the size of a quarter, in a 10 gallon tank next to a window with natural light. He has a filter and a heater for the water. Also, some rocks to bask on. I've had him for about 2 months. I've included four picture links of him, to show as best I can. So, am I just being paranoid or does it look weird? Thanks.

http://img339.imageshack.us/i/dscf2418.jpg/
http://img440.imageshack.us/i/dscf2419.jpg/
http://img229.imageshack.us/i/dscf2421.jpg/
http://img440.imageshack.us/i/dscf2423b.jpg/

I heard it's called 'Pyramiding' from overfeeding. But I am not sure how much upward curve would be considered pyramiding. Do you feed him a lot? My turtle looks like yours and I am worried about the same thing. I've tried cutting back on the food and feeding less. Before I'd feed it three to four pellets a day, now I only feed him one to two pellets a day. He's about the size of yours, an inch length and width.

He looks normal to me. Very cute by the way.

The turtle is perfectly normal....
Sen5es.....Yes pyramiding is from overfeeding, but i think you have the wrong idea of what it looks like.Type "turtle pyramiding" in google.

Ok, well it's very comforting to hear that he looks normal. I feed him twice a day, about 5 or 6 pellets at a time and then some dry krill...but only once per day on that. Every time he sees me, he thinks I'm gonna feed him, so he goes crazy. Haha.

I searched it up on google and it was something else, my mistake. I'm not sure then, I hope it is normal though.

He looks fine to me. Make sure, when you hold him, that you put your hand under his feet. The legs "swimming" in the air is stressful for the turtle.

I can see it your turtle has slight curling of the shell. You noticed this really early which is good.

"Curling" is usually caused by not enough calcium absorption or over feeding.

The amount you feed you turtle pellets is way to much. Cut back 3 or 4 pellets a day. krill dont even bother feeding that more like a snack for every once and awhile a month . Try and get him to eat veggies like romaine

Link to more options http://www.redearslider.com/plants.html

Painteds4life wrote:I can see it your turtle has slight curling of the shell. You noticed this really early which is good.

"Curling" is usally caused by not enough calcium absorption or over feeding.

The amount you feed you turtle pellets is way to much. Cut back 3 or 4 pellets a day. krill dont even bother feeding that more like a snack for every once and awhile a month . Try and get him to eat veggies like romaine

Link to more options http://www.redearslider.com/plants.html

Ok, well thank you for that.

As for holding him, I hardly ever hold him because I heard it could be too stressful to always be handled. As soon as I put him in my hand, he takes off running and he is fast, so I just didn't want him falling.

mis-T -- Your turtle looks fine. I might caution you on over feeding. Stick to the rules of the road with temps, uvb lighting, and filtration and you should do fine. Good Luck! m.