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I'm just wondering. how soft does the shell have to be to be considered soft shell for turts? I guess this is also a question that most newbie turt owners ask themselves. '

I know that a hatchling's shell is more pliable so im just wondering. Are the shells "soft" when they grow? I'm asking because my turts shell is not soft, but its not exactly rock hard either.

I don't know about hatchlings, but my turtle's shell is very hard - he's probably 1 1/2 to 2 years old, though (4 1/2").

The shell hardens up at around a year. A hatchling's shell can have a little give to it (especially in the area above the tail). If you gently pressed on the shell, does it depress like it would if you gently pressed on a bread roll, for example? If so, that's too soft.

It's important the hatchlings get enough calcium in their diet (and UVB rays to convert to Vit D3 to be able to absorb it) so their shells are able to harden.

No, nothing like the bread roll. More of jewel CD case. But also, this only occurs on the backend half of his shell. The ones if front are tough.

He gets cuttlebone and sunlight, so I dont think its a problem of diet and basking.