General Care Discussion :: RES eats his own and other's poop

[fourinch]

Is it normal or not for a RES eating poop? We catch him so often eating poop fresh out from his own and mate's, dark color. Is it so disgusting and gross!

[PridgNYC]

Yep, normal.

[turtlelvr2000]

completely normal.. turtles always look for food under rocks, sand etc. they keep on destroying my setup to get their poop lolz

[Love of Animals]

Keeps the tank clean.

[fourinch]

Thanks. Nice to know that but my other non-RES turtles do not have such weird act.

Another question, why does a turtle shell look light and dull and what will it take to keep it shine? Will vital shell (I think that's what it called) be the solution? This RES had fungus problem not long ago and I'm not sure if it's completely cured yet.

[steve]

Can you post a picture of the shell? Vitashell is actually not recommended under any circumstances. Fungus also has a knack of coming back if not properly treated. When my RES tries to eat her poop, it actually makes a mess so I try to scoop it out as soon as possible.

[fourinch]

Why do you say Vitashell is not recommended?
I'm attaching some updated photos, what do you think about his fungus? I see some improvement but not sure if it is totally cured.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/860/img0814h.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/688/img0815pq.jpg/

2 1/2 months ago
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/208/img0521s.jpg/

[steve]

The shell needs to dry off and breath, the Vitashell doesn't help. From the pics, the turtle has grown too quickly and irregularly. Cut down on the protein/pellets and feed a consistent small amount of those.

I don't really see fungus any more, but stay on top if it or it will come back and be more difficult to treat. Did you use the Maroxy or the SSD cream?

[fourinch]

Hi Steve,

I'm little puzzled over what you said about his irregular growth because I just measured him, he doesn't grow much.
Can you tell me how you tell if a turtle grows too quickly and irregularly? and what it means by irregularly?
I fed him with Hikari wheat germ earlier but he still hasn't shed his scutes. He loves lectures and carrots and he got those too.

[steve]

From the pictures, the shell isn't as smooth as it should be thus irregular growth. Most likely he was given too much on an inconsistent basis, rather than small and consistent portions. It's also possible someone else was sneaking him food/treats.