General Care Discussion :: Specific question about shedding - is it always bad?

[kimberly183]

As some may remember, my husband and I rescued two RES about 3 weeks ago. They had never had anything to "play" with in their tank, had to fight over a tiny basking dock, and lived in a 20 Long even though she (Sara) is 4" and he (Baruch, or Ru) is over 5". They were also NEVER given fresh food or cuttlebone - only Reptomin.

We now have them in a 55 gallon (for the next year until we move) with a nice big basking dock, and they daily get fresh turnip greens, about 2 -3 tablespoons of shredded carrots (Dole has them pre-sliced -SOOO convenient), every other day about 10-12 pellets of Reptomin, and once a week for Sunday breakfast they get poached egg white (they share about 1-1/2 teaspoons worth). They shared 5 minnows the second day here - none since. Occasional piece of tuna - 1/8 of an inch and they split it. Cuttlebone pieces and turnip green leaf free float in the tank daily. They also have a heat UVB light in their basking area now (before it was only in their strip light) as well as the strip light.

Having said all of this (I do have a point!), Ru is shedding a little around his face. It's only visible in the water, it's only minimal and just started yesterday. I know this is typically from overeating or from water that is too warm (theirs is kept at 76), but is it possible he is just sloughing off his old skin from the unhealthier eating he was subjected to before? maybe growing a little now that he is eating better? Or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks!

The perenially worried mom . . .

[megcornell]

Skin shedding is perfectly fine- and healthy. It's a sign that he's growing- good job!
When you have them in too warm of water excessive shedding can occur, but it doesn't sound like that's an issue with your tank, so I'd tend to believe it's normal.

[kimberly183]

Whew!

Thanks, Meg.

[Bascomb]

K-183 -- Sounds like you have a handle on taking care of your turtles. Shedding skin and scutes are normal. Keeping the temperature constant, good lighting and filtering keeps them healthy. Good job

[kimberly183]

Thanks, Bascomb! Good to feel like I am doing something right!

[Starchick]

With all of my turtles, I've noticed them going through a heavy shedding of skin right when I get them. I don't know if it's a response to proper conditions or a growth spurt or what, but at least from my experience it's normal.

[SpotsMama]

Your turtles probably can't believe their good fortune!

I'd go easy on the carrots. Carrots are very high in sugar though they also contain a lot of good vitamins. A serving of carrots once or twice a week will be fine.

[kimberly183]

Thanks! I will!

BTW - tried a grape this morning. They kept pushing each other out of the way to get to the pieces! It looked like an after Christmas sale!

Then, they dug and dug in the gravel where the pieces fell, looking for more. It was a little funny, when I think about where they came from just three weeks ago!

[N4784N R4613]

Aww, that sound cute!! Is the gravel in there tank bigger then there heads?

[kimberly183]

I say "gravel" but the substrate is actually rock about 2 " across.

[N4784N R4613]

OK cool, I am just a little paranoid about gravel. Thinking about how much pain such little stones can cause the turtle, and the owner.

[kimberly183]

Yeah - it's also painful to buy a bag of pond rock from Lowe's, lug it home, and have to scrub the mud off because the other store didn't have the polished ones we wanted - but it's done! And they are worth it