RES Shell Corroded?
- Thread starter ginger07
- Start date
Cooper horn
Member
Does it only show up when they are dry
I think they're getting ready to shed. It's normal.
Not really. They are showing like this when they are in the water.
What do you mean "shed"? It actually begins with algae growing at that places, I put some medication it becomes like this. It is dry and not returning to the original layer.
The turtle's shell has a very thin layer of keratin over the top of it. Occasionally this thin layer comes off as the turtle grows. It's like peeling off a layer of nail polish from your fingernail.
In this picture you can see how the keratin is peeling up getting ready to come off. That is called shedding:
In this picture you can see how the keratin is peeling up getting ready to come off. That is called shedding:
The turtle's shell has a very thin layer of keratin over the top of it. Occasionally this thin layer comes off as the turtle grows. It's like peeling off a layer of nail polish from your fingernail.
In this picture you can see how the keratin is peeling up getting ready to come off. That is called shedding:
I see. How long would it take for the keratin to grow back? It seems like algae is taking opportunity to grow at the affected place too. Does it relate to lack of calcium?
It does look like they have retained scutes, though. They are not shedding normally as the layers that "need" to shed are built up quite a bit and appear to have not shed as they normally would have. This happens in captivity particularly if the diet is not correct, and/or proper basking is not possible.
What is the diet and setup you are keeping these turtles in
What is the diet and setup you are keeping these turtles in
I am giving them Nutrafin floating turtle pellets. They have a pond which is under a shade. It can get sunlight during 2-4pm. But my tortoises usually dont bask, I wonder why. They love to stay in the water instead.
I guess I didn't look carefully at your post and then at the pictures. Your signature says you have two Malayan box turtles, but the pictures to me look like water turtles???? @Markw84 ??
RES are active baskers. If they do not bask, they may feel unsecure or exposed, or are not getting enough sunlight. Morning sun is best exposure for a pond and basking. Also try adding some koi pellets to the diet. I use that mixed with Mazuri aquatic turtle diet as the staple. The koi pellets contain more wheat germ and is good for facilitating shedding.
Here is a picture of one of my large cooters who is in the middle of shedding to see what the "normal" scutes would look like as they are ready to shed. See how translucent they appear where they are not yet shed? Your turtles have way too many layers built up that they have not shed.
Sorry its been a while i was idle from this forum. I never change my signature since then. I have 3 malayan box turtles and 2 res.
This family photo was 2 years back.
I just found the photo with algae
Its hard to tell from the picture. Aberrant scute patterns and retained scutes that hide any markings. Looked like red ears to me and her post does say "2 of my RES".
I see. My res dont bask a lot that worries me. How to make them feel secure?
What areas do you have set up just for the turtles to bask on in the pond?
Something going on if they aren't basking, my sliders spend as much time daily basking then they do in the water. Is it warm where your located?
