Feeding and Nutrition :: Pyramiding in the shell

[twonewsliders]

hi - I recently adopted two red ear slider from the animal shelter I volunteer at. It seems that shells are starting to 'pyramid'. What can I do to correct this?

[Blapple]

You can't reverse it but you can stop it. It's because his previous owners did give him the proper diet. Read the nutrition facts on redearslider.com. It tells you everything you need to know about a healthy diet for your slider.

[Safdar]

The pyramiding is due to the over feeding and high protien diet

The previous owner did over do it
So now its your job to limit his food

The rule is only feed as many pellets thatll fit in the turtles head
Imagine it hollow and you would put the pellets in it

If the turtle is an adult 4" above then feed pellets every other day
And veggies the day with no pellets

Like previously said
All the information is provided in the nutrition facts

[DavidY]

Pyramiding is caused by excessive proteins in the turtle's diet. You need to offset their diet with move greens and veggies.

[twonewsliders]

Hey - thanks for the info folks...... I have been following the nutrional guidelines as found here in this site so hopefully all will be good from here on out. I was thinking though.... I just gave them some turtle bone yesterday... is this just going to give them more calcium that they don't need? Also, they don't eat vegetables too willingly... is there a way I can entice them to eat more? They do like the aquatic plants that I keep in their tank but not many other veggies?? One more thing.... Does anyone have any good photos of a healthy turtle and one with pyramiding so I can do a comparison. Alternatively could I send somone a photo of my turtles so you can tell me if it is severe (i don't thinkit is but want to check)? you can email me at turtlegirl5080@yahoo.com

Thanks for all your help fellow turtle lovers!!

[DavidY]

I've never heard of calcium contributing to pyramiding before. The only thing I know of that causes it is excessive proteins and not enough greens. I also think it is hard to overdose a reptile with calcium so I wouldn't worry if it was only a little bit of turtle bone every few days (is that the cuttle bone that you're referring to?). Also aquatic plants are their natural diet for vegetation in the wild so as long as they are eating that they should be okay. You can also try some Romaine lettuce and Radiccio or Red Leaf lettuce. I know my guys go nuts over any leaves that are red.

The Photo Gallery section has a lot of pictures of some very nice and healthy RES. I think there may be at least a couple of threads around here about pyramiding that you could try doing a search for.

[steve]

Are you sure they are pyramiding? Can you post a pic? Perhaps they're getting ready to shed or you're looking at the vertebral scutes which can look a little bumpy.

[twonewsliders]

No - I am not sure that they are pyramiding.... And it could be vertebral scutes??? I just don't know anything about their background (becasue I adopted them) and these are the first turtles I have had so just trying to do the very best for them? Not sure how to post a pic???

[steve]

You can email them to me redearslider@gmail.com