I have had my Diamondback terrapin hatchling for about *a week now*, I would estimate that it is about a *month old* based on its size.
I have *UVA/UVB bulbs* set on timers (different for each one), a *basking rock*, and *strong filter* (very strong in fact), with about *2 inches* of water. I feed it once a day with *Reptomin Hatchling turtle bits*, the turtle is already hand-trained and *eats food readily*. In fact, less than an hour after I brought it home, it was already eating, which is unusual for a new turtle.
My *heater has been having trouble* reaching proper temperature, and the water temperature has been *82"F for a few days*, i cannot seem to get it down even though the heater is set to 74"F. I will have to buy a new heater to get the temp to about 78"F.
**My question is, the turtle seems to be 'shedding' a LOT.** I noticed yesterday, and today when i took him out to feed him, the *feeding container was filled*, in a matter of 10 minutes, with *sheer, thin, translucent bits of skin*. I looked in from the side, and it was just *hanging off of the turtle*.
No color to it, very see through, extremely light, as if he were snagged in a cobweb all over. It looks cloudy/like clear, THIN cotton, but is not white at all. *His colors are still extremely bright*, he is *very active*, *eating regularly*, seems to be ready to *shed his scutes* as well.
Is this normal shedding for a hatchling? It is not on his shell at all, but is on his arms/legs, his neck, under his armpits and knees, on the sides of his head, etc.
*I brushed him gently with a soft toothbrush to loosen the skin*, and it seemed to have worked. *But I just looked in his tank and already, a few hours later, there is more hanging off of him.*
Is he just shedding all at once? Is this some sort of fungus, even though it is clear and light and extremely thin?
Advice would be appreciated.
I can upload pictures tomorrow when the light is better, if you think it is anything more than normal shedding.
***My hypothesis is that since his heater has been malfunctioning and the water has been very hot lately (82/84) that this has accelerated his shedding by a lot.*** I am purchasing a new heater tomorrow and throwing out this old piece of junk, I would leave in the morning to a nice 78"F and come home to baking 84"F. I hope it is not anything more than shedding, but I am just checking to make sure.
