General Care Discussion

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:31 pm **Itchy Shell??**

Why does my 3 year old RES always scratch/grind his shell against furniture and anything solid?

I've done sulfur dips on him in the past, and his water's fine, so there's no fungus or chemical issues.

He started doing this about a year ago... :shock:

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:35 pm **Re: Itchy Shell??**

Most RES do this when they need to shed. Their shell gets really itchy and they will try to scratch against whatever object they can to try to pry the old scutes off. There's nothing to worry about. You can even try to help him out by scratching his back with your nails.

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 10:42 pm **Re: Itchy Shell??**

Oh, I see. He never sheds, though. Like... ever.

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:55 am **Re: Itchy Shell??**

How is his shell? Any retained scutes?

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 6:20 am **Re: Itchy Shell??**

Ya cody does this with his mopani wood and even rubs his belly in his feeding dish on the higher lip to scratch his lower shell lol. He likes when i scratch him a bit for him on his belly. It's normal when they are shedding.

Posted: Sun Oct 31, 2010 1:39 pm **Re: Itchy Shell??**

queenjane wrote:Oh, I see. He never sheds, though. Like... ever.

How old is he? Maybe he has retained scutes, like steve said, and it's bothering him... that's why he's trying to scratch them off.

Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2010 4:48 pm **Re: Itchy Shell??**

Can you post a pic of the shell dry?

General Care Discussion :: Itchy Shell??

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