General Care Discussion :: Shells

[Ferd]

I have two turtles, both under 3 inches long, in one of the 20" long "turtle"cages. I recently have noticed that at the back of their shells, the rim seems to curve up. This however is only with the areas just above the legs. I was wondering if this is normal. Also, on the bottom, there is a gap right down the middle of the shell. However, the shell seems to be holding it together, and no skin is showing. Is this anything important to worry about? Thanks for all the help!

[missibsu]

When my turtles were just hatchlings, they had an area down the middle that was whitish in color. It looked really brittle and it hardened with age. I don't know any technical name for this, but I have always figured it was just part of the growth process.

[Ferd]

Thanks for the help Missibsu! Ive now noticed that my turtles tend to be starving in the evening. when i put my finger up to the glass, they come up to BITE it as if theyre starving. Are they really that hungry or am i just imagining things? THey get fed once every day about the size of their heads if emptied.

[missibsu]

They are being fed enough, and you have now experienced the wonderful world of turtle begging! Get used to it, it won't change. It's a common reason that captive RES are overfed. They want you to feel guilty. The best thing you can do if you want to feed them more is throw in some veggies or cuttlebone. It's less damaging to them than pellets of live prey.

[Ferd]

thanks again for all the help. Im still worried however about the shell bend at their hind legs. I hae read that this is a serious condition. However it never specificly mentions hind legs. Does that mean that it is serious no mater where it is located, or am i missing somthing?

[missibsu]

Can you post a picture? There is a serious illness where the shell curves up all around, and it has to do with poor nutrition and set up. Sorry, I can't remember the name. It could be just a uniqueness with your turtle too! Has it showed signs of getting worse since you got the turtle? Are they both this way, or just one?

[Ferd]

only one it this way. Ricochet is kinda chubby lookin though. Could it come from overfeeding? also, is there some way to find out the propper weight for turtles like a rule of thumb? The pictures are big because you can only identify the shell isue this way so i apoligize. Ricochet is ate the bottom. It is at her hind leg where it is raised up. Even then it is hard to see. sry

[missibsu]

I don't know of a rule of thumb, and I have never weighed mine.

Has her shell been like that from the beginning?

[Ferd]

it has always been like this, but the container i got her in was a ten gallon with ten other turtles so the problem might have started there. Unfortunately, these two looked the healthiest

[missibsu]

Could be something that she will grow out of...beyond that, I don't know what to advise. Keep providing the healthy diet and habitat, that's the best I know to tell you.

[Ferd]

thanks for all the help! Ill give an update if anything else happens!