General Care Discussion :: How sensitive IS a RES' shell???

[camee1991]

Just a quick ?.... I brush Tobi's shell occassionally to get the "ugly" stuff off, and whether I brush hard or very very soft with a "soft" toothbrush, she will try to claw me to death AND eat me!

Is this just uncomfortable for them or are they just major sensitive on shell, or am I hurting her? I dont wanna hurt her. But after her *brushing* her shell looks so much prettier!!

Any ideas?!

Camee

[industrial_girl_2000]

They are sensitive on the shell (imagine if someone touches your head, you can still feel it in the bone, even if the skin had no nerves in it.....it's similar with RES), but brushing the shell softly to clean stuff off won't hurt them.

Feel free to brush her shell to clean it! I use an old toothbrush to clean Sheba's shell when she needs it.

[camee1991]

Ok...I will continue to brush it with the toothbrush, gently...but ANY ideas on how to keep her CHILL?! lol Or just like about everything..."hold her in a towel and let her bite on it?!" lol

[kikicool]

YOu know what I do? Because my guys do the same. I bring them in the bathroom with me, and brush them while they look in the mirror. It seems to calm them. Both of them. Now, at first I thought maybe it was actually stressing them more because they saw "another" turtle, but Herman particularly--actually stretches out his neck and seems to relax a bit. Worth a shot!

[grey goose]

Gomez and Big Daddy (if I catch him in the right mood) enjoy having their shells brushed. They do this little dance with their back legs. Beaker still doesnt trust me enough yet to give it a try, she'll sit at the bottom of the ramp and watch......

[Hoooneylynn]

When I brush karlyns shell, I put her in like a big tupperware bowl with a little water, so she cant get out, and I brush her shell, and she seems to like it! she just sits there, unlike her trying to get out when Im cleaning her tank. Also, I think its nice to dip the brush in the water and give her a massage! I think the water makes it a little softer.

[camee1991]

Good ideas! "Thats cool about the mirror"

Tobi does the little dance also when I scratch her shell when she is on the floor or sitting ..its soo cute!

The idea of a pan with water and me NOT holding her makes alot of sense also! Cool. I dont feel like a nerd cause I brush my girl...I feel normal! Now if Tobi will get to feelin normal also and not so freaky we can master this!!!

Camee

[industrial_girl_2000]

I try to get the brushing done after she is done eating dinner. She tends to be more calm after she has a full belly. Kinda just hangs there like a sack of potatos while I brush her.....

[kikicool]

Cool. I dont feel like a nerd cause I brush my girl...I feel normal! Now if Tobi will get to feelin normal also and not so freaky we can master this!!!

Camee

Um... we're on a turtle forum. I think all nerd feelings can be immediately pushed aside. You're in good company

[pumpkinsherbet]

i've wondered about that myself. i was trying to calm my little ones down when i had to take them out for measurements. there was a point on the carapace (vertebral, back end) that really got their attention. they'd close their eyes, they didn't get hostile. i still wonder if i hit a good spot or a bad spot, though.

[DavidY]

Um... we're on a turtle forum. I think all nerd feelings can be immediately pushed aside. You're in good company

Ha ha! Well said.

[camee1991]

Thanks! And glad to be here!

Pumpkin...I dont know about that spot...the lower part of TObis shell above her rear is REALLY sensitive to her. Thats when she "dances" if that is touched!

*Must be a turtle to fully understand*

Camee

[alexis_906]

I have wondered about cleaning "Cereal Box's" shell with a tooth brush, but I have never actually done it. I always thought it was just something silly I wanted to do, I never actually read something telling me to do it. Now I will try it.

[pumpkinsherbet]

yes, that spot! i didn't make it to clear. they'll jump up, then kinda close their eyes. it's weird.

[Hoooneylynn]

kiki, well said.

camee, feel free to ask ANYTHING. lol. Ive asked outrageous questions, everything from proper lighting to consistency of turtle poop.

I love this forum.