Skin shedding
- Thread starter ETTB1314
- Start date
TerryTerrapin
New Member
Now I'm no expert, I've only had my turtle for 4months but saying that, I have the same issue.
Firstly the temp in turtles water already should ideally be mid 20s Celsius so he's already in lukewarm water, if you've a tortoise I don't know what to say about water temp
As for adding salt? I wouldn't be quick to do that personally.. I'd worry that it would dry out the shell or the 'healthy' skin where shedding has already occurred. As well as that would it be ok if saltwater was ingested?
What I would do is wait. As long as you feel comfortable, and then see a vet if anything for reassurance, if progress is still slow. I was definitely over feeding and now that I've scaled back the food the skin is finding time to fall off - I think!
As well as that Terry's dock is a rock with uneven edges, surfaces and fake ferns that he has to navigate to get to the top. He can manage this fine, but the benefit is the rock provides natural friction that would help get some of that excess off
Finally, what I know 100% you should never never ever do; NEVER help an animal shed by taking off excess bits yourself !
Firstly the temp in turtles water already should ideally be mid 20s Celsius so he's already in lukewarm water, if you've a tortoise I don't know what to say about water temp
As for adding salt? I wouldn't be quick to do that personally.. I'd worry that it would dry out the shell or the 'healthy' skin where shedding has already occurred. As well as that would it be ok if saltwater was ingested?
What I would do is wait. As long as you feel comfortable, and then see a vet if anything for reassurance, if progress is still slow. I was definitely over feeding and now that I've scaled back the food the skin is finding time to fall off - I think!
As well as that Terry's dock is a rock with uneven edges, surfaces and fake ferns that he has to navigate to get to the top. He can manage this fine, but the benefit is the rock provides natural friction that would help get some of that excess off
Finally, what I know 100% you should never never ever do; NEVER help an animal shed by taking off excess bits yourself !
shedding the skin is normal and soaking in warm water definitely helps. i've never heard of adding salt tho so would leave that out.
Thanks! My water temperature is slightly warmer because of the hot and humid climate here. So I am either a little under 80 or above it. Is that what's causing them to shed excessively too?
As for over feeding, I've been following the pellet to head rule, so for 1 & 1/2 inches I feed them 3-4 pellets a day. I noticed if I feed any lesser they woukd start nipping at each other. My RESes have mastered the "feed me I'm starving to death" act. But I don't give in and only feed them twice a day.
As for over feeding, I've been following the pellet to head rule, so for 1 & 1/2 inches I feed them 3-4 pellets a day. I noticed if I feed any lesser they woukd start nipping at each other. My RESes have mastered the "feed me I'm starving to death" act. But I don't give in and only feed them twice a day.
TerryTerrapin
New Member
I'm in Ireland so we don't have the luxury of a hot climate! Heater keeps the water at (give or take) constant balmy 80F
I haven't yet mastered the ideal amount to feed Terry (Mississippi Map). I was giving two pellets a day when i first got him , gradually went up to 3-4 when he started growing but like you I fell hook line and sinker for the "Oh my god I'm starving to death here" routine it prob contributed to his shedding (rapid growth)
now I've scaled the feeding back again his routine is less frequent. I think he's a very chill turtle.
I haven't yet mastered the ideal amount to feed Terry (Mississippi Map). I was giving two pellets a day when i first got him , gradually went up to 3-4 when he started growing but like you I fell hook line and sinker for the "Oh my god I'm starving to death here" routine it prob contributed to his shedding (rapid growth)
now I've scaled the feeding back again his routine is less frequent. I think he's a very chill turtle.
