Turtle shell never shed

[NKK]

Hello! I'm worried about my turtle's shell. She never sheds (she's 2 years old), and recently it somehow became covered in white spots that appear worse when she's basking. I went to the vet and asked about her shell, but the doctor doesn't seem to understand turtles very well, and no other vet takes reptiles in my area .

She's very active, so she often bumps her shell into other objects, and she eats properly too. I often give her romaine lettuce, carrots, cucumber, dried shrimp, and dried cricket as snacks. Does anyone know what is wrong with my turtle's shell?

 

[Yvonne G]

Is there a spot in her enclosure that allows her to climb out of the water and sit in the sun (or a light)? I'm tempted to say it's shell fungus, but I'm not sure.

 

[EppsDynasty]

It looks like the turtle is ALWAYS wet. I'm agreeing with Yvonne, hard to tell in the picture.

 

[TammyJ]

I agree that this may have to do with how the turtle is kept. She's very beautiful by the way. Let's have details of her enclosure? Then we can help you more!

 

[TammyJ]

You still there?

 

[wellington]

We need you to respond so we can help. Looks like your turtle has a fungus. Dry dock him and put athletes foot cream on the areas.
Google search how to dry dock a turtle.

 

[EppsDynasty]

The Jeopardy song is playing in my head ........

 

[Markw84]

That is not fungus. It is a shell in need of shedding. The top layer of keratin is loosening which creates that look. From what you are describing, it is the diet that is the issue. Possibly not access to good basking as well. Get a good koi pellet and start making that more and more of the diet. Looks like a red-belly that could be really pretty once it sheds!

 

[NKK]

Hi everyone! Sorry for not replying sooner, I've been very busy these past few months 😭. In the enclosure, there's a basking spot with a lamp. Recently, I've often found layers of shell peeling off, although sometimes I'm not sure where it's coming from because there are no visible changes. As for food, I mostly feed her romaine lettuce and special turtle pellets. Could it also be due to poor water quality?

 

[NKK]

Sorry again for the late reply . This is the clearest photo of the enclosure I have right now. After reading your answers, maybe it's time to make a bigger basking spot for her since she's starting to grow bigger. Thank you all for the answers and suggestions you've given. 😊🙏

 

[EppsDynasty]

@NKK .... have you changed the diet? It's not a basking spot issue that has caused the problem it's the diet.

 

[Ink]

@Markw84 should help you

 

[NKK]

@NKK .... have you changed the diet? It's not a basking spot issue that has caused the problem it's the diet.

I try to monitor my turtle's diet variety by changing its food type every day. However, do you have any suggestions for a good diet for a yellow-bellied slider?

 

[COmtnLady]

#8 post above answers your question.

 

[EppsDynasty]

I trust Mark 100%. I use Mazuri Aquatic Turtle pellets.

 

[Markw84]

I trust Mark 100%. I use Mazuri Aquatic Turtle pellets.

I use Mazuri Aquatic Turtle pellets as a main part of the diet. However, the cooters and red-bellies can get almost exclusively vegetarian as they age. As a result, when I am feeding something like a red-belly, or especially one that is retaining scutes, I do like to mix in some good koi pellets as they are lower in protein and include more vegetable matter and wheat germ.

@NKK A red-belly needs lots of room. I personally would not keep and adult indoors in a tank at all. They would need at least 250 gallons and really do better in a pond. They are active, great swimmers and baskers. In and out of the water in the sun does help with the shedding. They also like to float bask a lot. They just can't do these things and act naturally in a small environment.

 

[EppsDynasty]

I use Mazuri Aquatic Turtle pellets as a main part of the diet. However, the cooters and red-bellies can get almost exclusively vegetarian as they age. As a result, when I am feeding something like a red-belly, or especially one that is retaining scutes, I do like to mix in some good koi pellets as they are lower in protein and include more vegetable matter and wheat germ.

@NKK A red-belly needs lots of room. I personally would not keep and adult indoors in a tank at all. They would need at least 250 gallons and really do better in a pond. They are active, great swimmers and baskers. In and out of the water in the sun does help with the shedding. They also like to float bask a lot. They just can't do these things and act naturally in a small environment.

This is why you're our Turtle Guy. Great info going in the "Turtle file in my brain"
Is there a specific Koi pellet that you prefer?