Why does my red eared slider turtle have shell rot?

Why does my red eared slider turtle have shell rot?

Shell breakage should be treated on the spot or as soon as you notice it. Another issue, and perhaps the most common cause of shell rot in red eared sliders, is dirty water. A buildup of feces, dead bugs, and other debris starts to make the water unsafe for turtles to swim in. You should always have a proper water filter installed on the tank.

What should the shell of a red ear slider look like?

The shell of a Red Ear Slider should be hard and relatively smooth. The carapace should be dark green and the plastron should be bright yellow.

Why does my red eared slider have dark spots?

The dark spots on the shell are probably shell rot. Your turtle may also have something called Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). The lack of appetite only complicates things. It may mean she/he has a respiratory or other infection in addition to the other problems. Shell rot and MBD don’t show up in a matter of days.

How old is my red eared slider turtle?

HE IS STILL A BABY (ABOUT THE SIZE OF A HALF DOLLAR) AND WAS EATING TURTLE PELLETS AND COOKED CHICKEN, AND SOMETIMES RAW GROU … read more My red-eared slider turtle who is 8 years old has recently …

The dark spots on the shell are probably shell rot. Your turtle may also have something called Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). The lack of appetite only complicates things. It may mean she/he has a respiratory or other infection in addition to the other problems. Shell rot and MBD don’t show up in a matter of days.

The shell of a Red Ear Slider should be hard and relatively smooth. The carapace should be dark green and the plastron should be bright yellow.

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.

Why is my red eared slider turtle dying?

These harmful cuts are another cause of shell rot if left untreated. Whether the shell rot comes from a broken shell, a fight between two turtles, or dirty water, it needs to be treated. Red-eared sliders can die within days of getting a serious case of shell rot.

What to do with a red eared slider turtle?

If the condition is worse, take your red eared slider to the vet. If not, then follow the advice mentioned below: Take your red eared slider out of the water. Keep your turtle in a dry and warm place. Soak your pet with water for thirty minutes twice a day. It will keep your red eared slider hydrated.

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 shell does a red eared slider turtle have?

Other than having the general adaptations of most other types of turtles, like having hard shells or the ability to retract themselves inside their shells, the body and shell color of the red-eared sliders is brown, black and/or dull green, the color common to the waters and areas where these turtles dwell.

How big of a tank do I need for a red eared slider?

First of all, you need to know how big a red-eared slider can actually get and at what pace is growing in size. A good rule of thumb when choosing the turtle tank size is to have about 10 gallons per inch of shell turtle, so for a red-eared slider that’s about 3 inches long, you should ideally put him in an at least 30-gallon turtle tank.

Can a red ear slider turtle breathe underwater?

In some cases the turtle may sink and struggle to get back to the surface of the water. The red-eared slider may extend its neck far forward and open its mouth as it gulps for air. Prescription antibiotics are necessary to treat these life threatening infections.

Is the red eared slider turtle an invasive species?

Red-Eared Slider Turtle. The Red-Eared Slider, also called the red-eared terrapin, is an American breed of turtles widely spread across the USA, and is quickly becoming an invasive species in many parts of the world. It is also the most popular breed of pet turtle in the US and is widely kept as pet around the world.

If you have more than one red-eared slider in the tank, they could be fighting, which can cause wounds and shell rot. Turtles’ fighting can cause shell damage and damage to other body parts, these cuts can turn into shell rot if ignored.

How long does a red ear slider turtle live?

They also need a varied diet of plant matter and protein and aquarium additives to make their water safe. Red-Eared Slider Background Key Takeaways: Red-Eared Slider Turtles make fabulous pets due to being fairly easy to care for and possessing a long lifespan of typically between 20 and 40 years.

What’s the difference between yellow bellied slider and red eared slider?

Looks wise, the red-eared slider closely resembles its cousin turtle species, the yellow-bellied slider. The primary differences in appearance are that of the red-eared slider’s red mark by its ear and lack of spotting on its plastron (belly shell).

What kind of food does a red eared slider eat?

Red-eared sliders seem to prefer this food group the MOST! The sky is pretty much the limit in this department – if you can find it in a pet store for the purposes of feeding any type of pet, your turtle can probably eat it. You can also opt to purchase live, canned, or freeze-dried feeders.

What makes a red eared slider different from other turtles?

The primary differences in appearance are that of the red-eared slider’s red mark by its ear and lack of spotting on its plastron (belly shell). Although they’re, like all turtles, shy in the beginning, most red-eared sliders grow to become quite personable. They will happily greet you when you enter the room.

How long does it take for a red ear slider turtle to hatch?

The gestation period of the female can be days or weeks, while the incubation time is 59 to 112 days. The hatchlings break out of the eggs, using their temporary egg tooth, that would fall off within an hour of their coming out. Baby Red-Eared Slider Turtle Red-Eared Slider Turtle Egg

Is it fun to own a red eared slider?

Owning a turtle, such as a red-eared slider, can be a fun and rewarding experience. Many seasoned owners thoroughly enjoy the bond and level of interaction that they achieve with their pet turtle.