General Care Discussion :: Should I be worried?

[lovesturtles89]

Not sure if this is something I need to worry about, but I noticed when one of my turtles was basking, that the entire shell had a white residue on it. You can't see it when the turtle is in the tank (only when the shell was dry). I've never noticed this on the turtle before, which is why it has me concerned.

[adbritta]

Can you take a picture? Does it just look like water spots, like what you might see on the walls of the tank, or does it look like something's growing on the shell? I linked a post that has pictures of what my turtle looks like when her shell is drying - is that what you're talking about?

http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=34014

[lovesturtles89]

Yeah actually, that's what it looks like. But when the turtle was completely dried it was all over the shell (instead of spots like yours).

It just looks like a white film over the shell (nothing actually growing).

I can still take a picture if you'd like.

[adbritta]

You can, just because there are other people here who are far more experienced with turtles than I, but on my turtle, it just shows up when she's dry, and as soon as she's back in the water it disappears, so if it's like that, I wouldn't worry about it, because I'm pretty sure it's just from mineral deposits and other things that are naturally in tap water.

[lovesturtles89]

Ok. I realized I lent my camera to my parents, so I'll have to use my cell phone.

Thanks for your help!

[steve]

Do you see any white residue around the eyes? It's usually calcium/mineral deposits.