General Care Discussion :: Are my hatchlings' shells normal?

[EmmaFace]

I noticed Michelangelo's shell has a small spot that looks brownish white, it looks like two scutes are peeling a little bit at the corners where they meet. Is this the beginning of normal shedding, or something different? It's only in this one spot, above his right back foot. It doesn't smell bad and isn't squishy, so I'm not sure what to make of it.

Also Leo's shell has some dark spots, I'm not sure if it's his natural shell pattern or something else? It's not new, it's been that way as long as I've had him (since Christmas)

I was a little concerned for their calcium intake since they won't touch cuttlebone, so I've been putting some ReptoCal on their pellets. (I wet the pellets, sprinkle some calcium and let them dry, as I've read here) Is there anything else I should do for their shells? The picture doesn't really show, but the very edges of their shells have a very slight bend upwards. I'm positive they didn't have UVB light or proper nutrition before I received them, so I'm just concerned about what I can do for them now. They've never had any problems eating, they took right to the pellets so I haven't tried offering anything else yet. Leo eats 4-5 baby ReptoMin pellets a day, Mikey eats 6-7 (he's got a fat head and he's a piglet, if I don't stop him, he won't stop eating!) What kind of veggies should I start with? The only thing I've got in the house right now is iceberg lettuce, and I know that's got no vitamins.

Any diet suggestions would be greatly appreciated! My biggest concern is the peeling bit of Mikey's shell though, so can anyone tell me what that is?
Thanks!

[EmmaFace]

Oh holy crap, I just barely noticed the spot on the very first picture I took of Mikey, you can see when he basks it's all white.
Apparently, the spot has been there the whole time I've had him

[steve]

Does it look less pronounced in the more recent picture?

[EmmaFace]

I think it's a bit larger actually, it just looked a brighter white when completely dry.

[steve]

It's hard to say way this could be. Is he getting his calcium and UVB?

[EmmaFace]

Neither of them would touch cuttlebone, so I'm adding some ReptoCal to their pellets... I just started a few days ago though. I have a UVB, a 5.0 reptiglo. I have a screen on top of the tank though, could that be blocking some UVB rays? It's kind of a small mesh, maybe 1/4"

[steve]

Yea, those small mesh screens do block some UVB. How far away is the lamp? What brand of pellets are you using?

[EmmaFace]

I use baby ReptoMin pellets. The lights are about 6" away from the basking rock, they're right on top of the screen. Where can I find a screen with larger mesh?

[steve]

You can buy/make them, though I'd keep what you have now. How long have you had your RES?

[EmmaFace]

Only since Christmas, they were a gift from my brother-in-law. Technically they were a gift to both hubby and me, but hubs doesn't have much interest in them. I've never had turtles before but I've fallen quite in love with them already

[steve]

I'd just carefully monitor the area. There are some minor treatments that can be done but hopefully the diet and UVB will help heal that area.

[EmmaFace]

Ok, I'll just keep an eye on it for now. Thanks! I'll post again if it seems to get any worse.