Why does my red eared slider shell look dry?
If your turtle’s shell looks dry, it is most likely due to hard water mineral deposits, retained scutes, or unhealthy humidity levels. Make sure your UV-light bulb is up-to-date and always feed your turtle a nutritious, balanced diet.
Is a turtle shell supposed to be soft?
Younger turtles do tend to have softer shells, and it may take years for a turtle to fully develop a strong shell. This mobility does show that the shell is soft, but softness at a young age is normal. However, a turtle’s shell can get too soft; this happens when the turtle has metabolic bone disease.
What makes a turtle shell soft?
Its real name is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and it is caused by poor diet and/or insufficient lighting. In order to stay alive, turtles require a certain amount of calcium in the bloodstream. In other words, the turtle’s bones have softened, making the protein layer (shell) seem soft.
Should I brush my turtles shell?
Use a toothbrush and gently scrub the turtle’s entire shell, paying special attention to any areas of buildup. Remember that the turtle can feel his shell, so do not scrub too hard. Then scrub the turtle’s legs, tail, and neck, but be careful with these areas as they are more sensitive.
What do you do when your turtle shell is soft?
If the condition is not too advanced it can be corrected by increasing the Calcium and Vitamin D in the turtles diet. This can be done by adding a supplement to their diet. The other cause of a soft shell is shell rot which is usually caused by an infection, most commonly a bacterial infection.
Do turtles like being petted?
Turtles are arguably the cutest of all of the reptiles. Because of this, they are often desirable pets. However, turtles don’t really enjoy being handled and petted the same way other domestic animals do. For those of you who own a pet turtle/tortoise, this is how to pet one without injuring the turtle.
What do I do if my turtle shell is soft?
If your turtle has developed a soft shell it is probably caused by one of two things. It could be Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) which is caused by a lack of calcium in the diet. If the condition is not too advanced it can be corrected by increasing the Calcium and Vitamin D in the turtles diet.
Why does my red eared slider turtle have shell rot?
Plus, like many turtles and tortoises, they might come down with shell rot or ulcers. This often occurs due to an unsanitary habitat or improper diet and shows up as abnormal or foul-smelling patches on their shell. As for behavior, these turtles are generally friendly once they get comfortable in their environment.
What kind of shell does a red ear slider have?
The shell includes a mildly to moderately domed carapace (upper shell) & a hingeless plastron (lower shell); the turtle can withdraw into the shell but the shell cannot close at all (RES rely on deep water for protection; on land they’re vulnerable to predators like raccoons).
How big of a tank does a red ear slider need?
Size – Appropriately sized habitat, at least a 40 gallon breeder tank with a screened lid so the turtle can’t escape. A good rule of thumb is 10 gallons per inch of turtle; adult turtles will require more room. Be sure the habitat selected is wide enough o give the turtle room to comfortably turn around.
Are there any hybrid red ear slider turtles?
Although rare, hybrids of RES & map turtles have been produced. There are more ‘color morphs’ of the RES available than any other turtle species.
What to do if red eared slider has shell rot?
However, it’s worth doing to keep your red-eared slider happy and healthy! Aside from cleaning, you can also help a turtle with shell rot by using a heat lamp, keeping them away from water for a couple of hours a day, and changing their diet.
How do you know if your red eared slider turtles shell is?
It should not be pitted, soft (unless a juvenile), cracked or bleeding. It is normal to have a small amount of algae on the shell. This can be wiped off or gently scrubbed clean with a soft bristled toothbrush if necessary.
Can a car hit a red ear slider?
If your red eared slider falls on his/her shell from a considerable height, there is a high possibility of shell cracking. If a car or any massive force hits your turtle, his/her shell can get cracked. Wildlife attacks on a turtle also open the possibility of shell cracking.
What kind of disease does red ear slider have?
Soft Shell on the red eared slider is a critical medical condition. It is also known as MBD or Metabolic Bone Disease. Many people do not understand the disease. So they fail to take any practical action for their turtle.
Do turtles shells get soft when they die?
The turtle shells remain behind after everything else decomposes. Eventually, the shells still slowly decay, but it may take years before they become extremely brittle and dry.
What should I do if my turtle’s shell is soft?
Why would a turtle shell turn white?
Most of the time your turtle’s shell is turning white due to hard water. You can fix this by using distilled/treated water and by cleaning the turtle’s shell. It may be due to a fungal infection as well. This can be treated through OTC topical medication.
