General Care Discussion :: Flip's Shell

[Ty13]

Anyone see any major, life-threatening problems with Flip's shell, it's soild as a rock and doesn't smell, just doesn't look too healthy to me.

[megcornell]

It definitely looks like it's been through it's share of poor habitat and diet. On top of that I think it's melanistic, which is fine, it just means it's darkening.
I think with the right diet and habitat and a few good sheds it will look better.
It looks like she's got a funny scute pattern, I think she's going to be quite pretty

[marisa]

To me, it looks like a few good scute sheddings were missed---there's quite a bit of built up scutes on Flip. I think he's so dark because of all those layers of scutes. Those white scutes behind the neck in the last pic---they're not loose at all?

[Ty13]

Yeah they're very loose, when she moves quickly they just about fall off, but she just can't seem to get rid of them. There's also some a the bottom of her shell. Would it be ok to scratch them off for her?

[mikee]

I think that if you stick to good husbandry for a few months you will see a difference. Ex: Food, Diet, temps, very clean water, proper light, tank large enough, etc.

[marisa]

I'd lift the edges of them (the loose ones) and give the slightest amount of pressure. If they're ready to come off, they should pop off. If not, then leave them.

[industrial_girl_2000]

Wow, interesting pattern! Keep in mind that the pattern itself isn't bad for your turtle's health. This makes your turtle very unique.

I agree with what others already said here about the scutes popping off.