I think I broke my turtles

[MichelleCarrigan78]

How easy is it for RES to pyramid? I thought I was doing everything right, but they look as though they are starting to show it. They are babies and havent lost their scutes yet, but they have grown A LOT since I got them. What exactly makes them pyramid?? I am going to post pics later and hopefully if they are decent enough someone can tell me if i'm seeing things or I really did break my turtles

 

[Benjamin]

How easy is it for RES to pyramid? I thought I was doing everything right, but they look as though they are starting to show it. They are babies and havent lost their scutes yet, but they have grown A LOT since I got them. What exactly makes them pyramid?? I am going to post pics later and hopefully if they are decent enough someone can tell me if i'm seeing things or I really did break my turtles

They may be growing too fast. Most turtles have some "down time" in the wild when environmental factors are not "ideal. Also they do not have access to rich foods daily or even weekly. Start floating a whole leaf of romaine lettucue in the water. RES turtles are omnivours. Feed pellets,worms, ect..3 maybe 4 days a week. Lettuce the other days, and 1 day of fasting.
Keep water temps mid 70, warm basking site 8hrs daily.
Too much food+too much heat causes improper growth.

 

[MichelleCarrigan78]

Okay thank you. I may have been feeding them too much pellets and not enough lettuce.

 

[Yvonne G]

Or too much period! They are quite the little beggars and they make you fell pretty guilty when you don't give them something to eat every time you walk by the aquarium. Resist the impulse!

 

[tortoises101]

Pyramiding in aquatics is also partially caused by too much protein. (unlike tortoises, which under high humidity can still grow smooth even if on a high protein diet) Too much protein also harms their livers and kidneys. Letting your turtle gorge on, say, lettuce is no problem, as lettuce is easily digested and the protein levels are low with high water content. While letting your turtle gorge on, say, Reptomin over time will likely make it pyramid or even worse, kill it.

 

[MichelleCarrigan78]

Well I will definately be more sparing with the pellets. I thought that was a good "cover-all" food for them...I know better now, THANKS!!

 

[Benjamin]

Well I will definately be more sparing with the pellets. I thought that was a good "cover-all" food for them...I know better now, THANKS!!

Pellets are a good thing..but in moderation. Add variety with them. The RES down here in TN are hibernating now, but will be eating much in a few months.

 

[Kristina]

A good tip is to feed no more pellets than would fit inside the turtle's head if it were hollow, once a day. You can however allow them to have greens. The same stuff you feed your tortoise is just fine.

 

[terryo]

Any water turtles that I've ever taken in were mostly deformed from too much protein and over feeding. Try feeding some water plants....duckweed is an excellent sauce of food for water turtles. They are notorious for begging for food every time they see you. You will have to use "tuff love".

 

[MichelleCarrigan78]

I do feed them as many pellets as would fit into their head, although I cant say the same for my husband or daughter, so who really knows how much they really get. But Im in charge of the food now. I havent done much with lettuce or water plants. Next time I am in a pet store I'll look for duckweed.