Do turtles lose scutes?
Like most reptile species, aquatic turtles molt. They do this by shedding scutes or layers of shell as the body of the turtle grows. Because an aquatic turtle spends so much time in water, molting can look like shreds of tissue sloughing off from the turtle.
Why is my turtle peeling?
Shedding its scutes is a means to keep a turtle’s shell clean and free of any type of blockage or infection. Furthermore, turtles’ shells will peel when it is injured or damaged. If a scute is damaged or lost somehow, turtles’ shells have the ability to regenerate.
Is it normal for a turtle to shed its scutes?
That said, a turtle doesn’t always shed its scutes for natural reasons. And sometimes when it does, there are very real bad reasons for this (such as from the list above). With healthy turtle shell peeling and shedding, the scutes will simply fall off, in whole (usually).
Is it normal for a turtle’s shell to peel off?
If you see scutes peeling or falling off from the bottom or edges of your turtle’s shell, don’t be surprised or worried as this is totally natural and healthy. You may notice that portions of the scutes seem to ‘lift off’ up from the shell. This is normal. Whatever you do, don’t physically force them off.
What do the scutes on a turtle’s shell mean?
That is because turtles’ shells are covered by plates, called scutes. These scutes are made up of keratin, the same substance that your own nails, finger and toe alike, are made up of. And as a turtle grows, its scutes will often fall off. This is called shedding and is the subject of this article.
Is it normal for a turtle to eat its scutes?
The turtle may even eat the fallen scutes or attempt to eat the scutes that are peeling off. This is perfectly normal. However, it is best to remove any shed scutes as soon as you see them. The severity of the dysecdysis dictates the course of treatment you need to douse out.
That said, a turtle doesn’t always shed its scutes for natural reasons. And sometimes when it does, there are very real bad reasons for this (such as from the list above). With healthy turtle shell peeling and shedding, the scutes will simply fall off, in whole (usually).
When to see a vet if your turtle’s shell is peeling?
Anytime the shell looks deformed, reddened or bloody under the scute, has exposed bone, or the shell feels soft or spongy, there’s a problem and you should seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. You should also see a vet if your turtle is continuously shedding scutes or the scutes are peeling but not falling completely off.
That is because turtles’ shells are covered by plates, called scutes. These scutes are made up of keratin, the same substance that your own nails, finger and toe alike, are made up of. And as a turtle grows, its scutes will often fall off. This is called shedding and is the subject of this article.
The turtle may even eat the fallen scutes or attempt to eat the scutes that are peeling off. This is perfectly normal. However, it is best to remove any shed scutes as soon as you see them. The severity of the dysecdysis dictates the course of treatment you need to douse out.
