General Care Discussion :: A RES Female's Carapace and Plastron

[John C.]

If I had a nickel for every unusual looking Red-eared slider I came across I would probably be a...(worth $200,000.00).

Thr first question I want to ask is this; On a RES plastron that triangular piece right under their neck, is it suppose to be flat or upturned..on a female. I've seen it flat and upturned slightly and severely. What is normal?

On the carapace...The lines in between the scutes are sometimes wide or nearly invisible. Please explain.

[BullDog]

That scute (called the nuchal scute) should be flat.

The seam between the scutes being wide is caused by rapid growth. You often see wide seams on hatchlings. On adults, since they aren't growing as fast, the seam should be thin.

[John C.]

If it is upturned what does it mean of the turtles past? I have seen it this way on many females.

[mike hill]

Jo-C - I think that you are talking about a natural up turn in front. Please post a good clear photo so we can see what you are talking about.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

It really doesnt matter, usually its flat or turned slightly. To give a female a slight convex shape to her. If you seen it turned severely then its whole shell probably had shell curling or at the very least she had some kind of improper diet.

[marisa]

On the plastron, it can be slightly upturned and that's normal (I have an male Eastern painted that has a slightly upturned plastron in the front). It has nothing to do with the sex of the turtle.

[BullDog]

I've never seen one with it slightly turned up, could someone post a picture?

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Yea... i need a pic too im confused to on what were talking about> The two triangle scutes on plastron underneck always curve up more if its female?

[BullDog]

Oh geez... I just re-read the question. The Q says "plastron" but apparently my brain read "carapace"

Now I understand what you mean! The part under their "chin" isn't always flat, apparently!

[marisa]

Exactly. All my turts are males. That upturn is more pronounced on some, particularly one Eastern painted, than others.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Yea...there never flat they always curve. More so on my females then males usually.