General Care Discussion :: shedding&breathing issues?

[butterfly_kisses91886]

I have two possible concerns.... I have a 2 year old RES: I have noticed that since he has gotten bigger, when he comes up for air I can hear him breathing. Nothing alarming, but it sounds like regular breathing. So, is that normal for a turtle to breath that loudly to the point I can hear ? There is nothing coming from his nose,etc. Anothr thing: Is it normal for a turtle to shake their claws in a rhythmic fasion in order to get the skin off ? I don't know much about turtles, so any help is appreciated. Thanks!!

[steve]

Breathing sounds are sometimes more noticeable when they surface after being submerged for awhile. So what you're hearing is probably normal.

I haven't seen them shake their claws before to get skin off - was it directed to any objects in the tank?

[butterfly_kisses91886]

No, he was just shaking his claws as to get the shedding skin off. I thought it may be part of the natural shedding process, but I haven't noticed it in a few days.....

[steve]

I've seen mine bite their claws, but not shake as to wave it off but that doesn't mean that there is something wrong.

[marisa]

When you say he shook his claws in a rythmic fashion, did it happen to look like he was fluttering them? If so, this is normal; a solitary RES will often do it at objects they're either interested in or view as an intruder.