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Itchy Shell??

PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:31 pm
by queenjane
Why does my 3 year old RES always scratch/grind his shell against furniture and anything solid?

I've done sulfur dips on him in the past, and his water's fine, so there's no fungus or chemical issues.

He started doing this about a year ago... :shock:

Re: Itchy Shell??

PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:35 pm
by worldpeace
Most RES do this when they need to shed. Their shell gets really itchy and they will try to scratch against whatever object they can to try to pry the old scutes off. There's nothing to worry about. You can even try to help him out by scratching his back with your nails.

Re: Itchy Shell??

PostPosted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:42 pm
by queenjane
Oh, I see. He never sheds, though. Like... ever.

Re: Itchy Shell??

PostPosted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:55 am
by steve
How is his shell? Any retained scutes?

Re: Itchy Shell??

PostPosted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:20 am
by Jaysea
Ya cody does this with his mopani wood and even rubs his belly in his feeding dish on the higher lip to scratch his lower shell lol. He likes when i scratch him a bit for him on his belly. It's normal when they are shedding.

Re: Itchy Shell??

PostPosted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 1:39 pm
by worldpeace
queenjane wrote:Oh, I see. He never sheds, though. Like... ever.


How old is he? Maybe he has retained scutes, like steve said, and it's bothering him... that's why he's trying to scratch them off.

Re: Itchy Shell??

PostPosted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 4:48 pm
by marisa
Can you post a pic of the shell dry?