General Care Discussion :: Shedding Scutes

[emma]

My turtles are around 1.5 inches. Are they to small to shed already? And do turtles shed the plastron parts of the shell?

[emma]

My turtle has been shedding around the neck and all parts of his skin. So do you think he is going to shed scutes soon? He is 1.5 inches. Maybe less. I could post pictures if you want me too.

[marisa]

They don't automatically shed scutes when they shed skin, as shedding can be due to a number of factors besides growth---too warm temps, a high ammonia level, even a fungus that's mimicing shedding to name a few. They do shed scutes on both the plastron and carapace.

Has your noticeably grown since you got him? Do the scutes look like they're getting ready to shed (do they look dull and whitish, to the edges look like they're lifting at all, when your turtle is in the water, do any of the scutes look gold or coppery)?

You can post pics if you want to, but make sure the shell is dry.

[emma]

Here are pictures of her shell dry.

[marisa]

Well, it looks like he's got older, smaller scutes sitting on top of newer, larger scutes. And the translucent edging around the shell is from older scutes being pushed out by newer scutes as they grow. At some point those old ones should come off, however, it looks like he's growing at a rate where they could become part of the newer scutes...

He looks bigger than 1.5 inches (may just the pic?). What do you feed him, how much and how often? Is it just the pic, or is there some redness in the seam (line in between the scutes).

[emma]

The picture just makes him looks so big. And for the red...thats the picture too. It is black when i look at him in the water and dry.

I feed him 4 pellets everyday along with red lettuce. And for treats I give them worms, fish, or some fruit. They only get a treat like once every 3-4 weeks. They also have anarcharis in the tank with them. And thats about it.

And what do you mean by, they would become part of the newer scutes? Do you mean the old ones would not come off and stay there forever like pyramiding or something?

[marisa]

If you weren't feeding him a varied diet like you say you are, then yes, that would be possible. But it sounds like what you're giving him is OK. (When you give treats, don't give pellets.) I wouldn't worry about pyramiding. At some point, those scutes should come off.