Soft underbellies.

[SoulKata]

Hello everyone!

Okay. I have a small 2 month old hatchling. It's 2 inches. I feed it a diet of wheatgrass and Spring Mix, about 1/4 cup a day with Repti-Cal sprinkled over it. It's Repti-Cal with D3. I soak it everyday for 10 minutes. The enclosure is always at 36C/95F.

So, I squeezed the turtle a little(like a sandwhich), to make sure his shell isn't soft. The top isn't, but the underbelly is. Is this natural for hatchlings? If not, what can I do to change that? I've been giving him the calcium supplement.

Thanks in advance.

 

[egyptiandan]

Is your whole enclosure 95F? If so thats way to warm. Thats fine for right under the basking light, but not all the time. They do need a temperature drop at night.

Danny

 

[Crazy1]

I agree with what Danny said. Also hatchlings bellies are often pliable for some time after they hatch. So unless it is mushy or the top shell is also soft it is more than likely as it should be. But check those temps. and How is your humidity?

 

[SoulKata]

Temperature is around 90F at night since I change to a cooler bulb. It's 95F probably because I put the thermometer near the light. It should be way cooler on the other side. The enclosure is pretty humid. I have some grass growing in there so I have to give them water, you know?

The top part of the shell is pretty hard, it's just the underside. I guess it should be alright. I mean, I've seen what a sick tortoise looks like and this isn't one. It's very active, unless in it's hiding spot, and it eats a lot.