My tortoise is waterproof. Why?

[Anyfoot]

Hi all

We have bathed our 7 adult redfoots again today.
The last 2 we got we have had now for 5 and 7 weeks. It looks to me that the previous owners of these 2 torts must have been putting something on there carapace. When we bathe them the water just runs off of them and the carapace remains dry as though they have wax on them. Am I to worry about this and is there anything I can wash there shell with that is safe and washes off wax/oil/cream or whatever is on them. Is it normal for some to be waterproof? Seems abnormal to me but would appreciate some help and advice.

Thank you

Craig

 

[WithLisa]

You could try to wash it with a mild soap or dish detergent, but if the wax/oil is in the keratin it's hard to get rid of.

 

[Anyfoot]

You could try to wash it with a mild soap or dish detergent, but if the wax/oil is in the keratin it's hard to get rid of.

I'm guessing it will grow out in time, am I right? Thank you Lisa

 

[WithLisa]

It will fade with time.

 

[leigti]

Try using a soft to medium toothbrush, dip it in hot water and scrub one little area. Or if you have some good fingernails scratched one little area and see what happens. not too hard but just enough to see if anything comes off.

 

[Anyfoot]

Try using a soft to medium toothbrush, dip it in hot water and scrub one little area. Or if you have some good fingernails scratched one little area and see what happens. not too hard but just enough to see if anything comes off.

Will do tomorrow, they are just settling down for the night. Thank you

 

[Yvonne G]

It's probably not harmful. The previous owners may have used something to help keep the shells lubricated. If you don't like it, you can use baby shampoo and a brush and give them a good scrubbing.

 

[Anyfoot]

Hi there

I asked a friend of mine who has decades of experience with torts about the shells being waterproof and this is the reply I got

Hi Craig, sorry I didn't get back to you last night, looks ok here today buses should be running as normal thank god!, yes I have seen this before and it is very bad for the tortoises can cause shell rot as shell carnt breath needs to come off asap, get two bowls one with clean water one with a Fairy liquid and water mix sit tortoises in clean water, with a old tooth brush, dip in soapy water and scrub shell, the fairy will get the wax off the shell, you will need to scrub but it should come off be careful not to get it in the torts eyes, hence the clean water just in case, if you want to, be really careful, Johnsons baby bath but I don't find it as good, and for the few seconds the fairy is on the torts shell no harm will come just don't get in eyes! . x

Do you think I should do this tonight when i finish work.

Thanks

Craig

 

[tortdad]

I would think if it was a water tight seal that it is also an airtight seal, which would not be good. It's hard to say what they used it might be breathable and I might not. If it were me and my torts I would scrub them with a tooth brush and see if I could get some off.

 

[wellington]

You could try to wash it with a mild soap or dish detergent, but if the wax/oil is in the keratin it's hard to get rid of.

I wouldn't use soap or detergent.

 

[wellington]

I just wonder if it's something like @Zamric uses on his torts shells. Maybe he will let us know if that is what the water does on his. If so, I don't think its harmful. He's been doing it for quite some time.

 

[phebe121]

I wonder if its coconut oil I use it on my torts like 2 times a month within a few soaks its off I also use a baby tooth brush on mine to wash them.I don't think I would use soap on them if I had to it would be baby soap or like dawn dish soap they wash animals in oil spills with that good luck

 

[Anyfoot]

Thank you all.

Don't know if you guys have fairy liquid over there but its a household detergent that we use to wash the dishes. Best on the market. Cuts through grease and grime really well and not harmful to skin contact. I'm going to scrub them later when I get home. They have had numerous amounts of soaks and its not coming off with just water poring on them.

Thank you all. great help

Craig

 

[Zamric]

I use Vita-Shell and it does not repel water and comes off easily with just a soft toothbrush. Sounds like someone used Car wax (Turtle Shell most likely) on him. I know that most car waxes can be removed with Dawn Dishwashing liquid (Fairy Liquid, same thing) just take care not to get it in his eyes, mouth or under his tail area.

 

[Anyfoot]

I use Vita-Shell and it does not repel water and comes off easily with just a soft toothbrush. Sounds like someone used Car wax (Turtle Shell most likely) on him. I know that most car waxes can be removed with Dawn Dishwashing liquid (Fairy Liquid, same thing) just take care not to get it in his eyes, mouth or under his tail area.

Thank you. Going to give him a bath now. We have a car wax over here called TURTLE WAX, looks like some idiot as literally taken it at face value drrrrrrr.

Thanks again Zamric

Craig