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Can you guys check this out and let me know if this is pyramiding or pre-pyramiding? I just adopted it and want it to be as healthy as possible. The other RES has a flatter shell so it looks fine

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/1319/tur.jpg
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/8386/turtc.jpg
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2373/turtlef.jpg

It looks like pyramiding but it can be fixed with a good shed and a change in diet (less proteins, more vegetables).

What veggies would you suggest feeding them? Can I give them veggies every day?

There's a very sticky under the Feeding and Nutrition section that lists what foods to feed and how ofter. Here's the link:

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

what about vitamins?

They take the necessary vitamins from the foods the eat. Baby carrots and kale are rich in vitamin A, which turtles (especially young ones) need.

You should buy them cuttlebone which contains calcium needed for a healthy shell. Almost all pet stores sell them. Don't forget to cut the backing off. There's a sticky in the same section that explains how to do it.

Rather than Kale (which I've never seen a turtle really get into), try dandelion greens---very good nutritionally.

It's not protein which causes pyramiding, it's overfeeding. Make sure you are feeding a head sized amount, once a day. When your turtle gets to be four inches and larger, they should be fed every other day.

Overfeeding contributes to pyramiding, but excessive protein makes it worse.

marisa wrote:Overfeeding contributes to pyramiding, but excessive protein makes it worse.

Excessive anything can make pyramiding worse. Even if you are overfeeding lettuce.

Before I ran into this site, I gave my turtles way more protein than necessary (After they would not take to veggies or pellets, I figured they were carnivorous, so just kept giving them protein) and they never got pyramiding. It wasn't until my mother overfed them many times that a very minor pyramiding started recently (which has been stopped).

Pyramiding, from what I recall, is from overfeeding. Overfeeding leads to sped up growth, and that's what causes pyramiding. Protein sparks growth much more than any other compound our turtles are eating. That's why Marisa said protein speeds the process.

so just kind of put them on a diet?

Well, you definitely need to re-examine what you're feeding and how much of it. Turtles are excellent beggars and act as if they're always starving. Considering the size and issues of your turtle, I'd eliminate most of the protein in the diet.

I just got them three days ago so I am still learning...quickly. What would you suggest (specifically)

Overfeeding lettuce will cause diarrhea before it causes pyramiding...

The condition (pyramiding) can also be caused by a lack of calcium, lack of Vit D3, too much phosphorus, and overfeeding produce that contains a lot of water and little fiber (or a combination of these factors).

jordanwalker, do some reading on this site. You want a balanced diet that has variety.