Help! My baby turtle is looking a lot less green. What to do?

Question

He's a red eared slider and he's only a month or so old. His shell is looking a little brownish and it looks like it's shedding little bit of skin type stuff. I know that turtles can get shell rot, I don't know if this is it, but I just noticed today and don't want it to get worse.We moved a few days ago and the move doesn't seem to have agreed with him. I haven't seen him bask at all. He's been in the water for two days straight. Advice?

Answer 1

It's fine... it's not going to die. If the shell is losing colour, I would not worry. Only if the turtle is lethargic, swimming poorly and not feeding, would I suspect an illness.

I doubt it is shell rot, because it takes more than a month to get shell rot. I suspect it is scutes (coverings of the shell) that is coming off as it is growing. Often the scutes turn whitish, b/c air gets underneath. It takes 1-2 months for a complete shed. You may help it when it is dangling, it doesn't really matter.

I would not worry that he is in the water for two days. I'd give it some time before the little guy gets used to the new crib. I suspect the water temp is warm and so he doesn't need to come out to bask. Try increasing the basking area temp to 90-95F. You can do so by bringing the clamp lamp closer or using a larger bulb.

Answer 2

You should try and brush him clean with a very soft toothbrush. He may just be dirty especially since he is not basking. A move like that will upset them a little and they will sometimes not bask for a day or several days. Sometimes they even will not eat for a while due to the stress. The skin stuff is natural. Turtles shed a lot. I would not worry about that at all. You will also see them shed the skutes on their back a lot, that too is normal. I would give it some more time and if he is still not basking then consider a vet or maybe take him out and sit outside with you. Set him up with a little water and some shade soe he can get wet or bask if he wants in the fresh air. That may help him get more confortable and back into the swing of things.

Answer 3

Shedding means that he is growing, so the shedding part is ok. To help with the shedding I would suggest Turtle Vitashell, it's a cream that puts vitamins into his growing shell and can also be used on his skin, it is very good for him.
Is his shell still pretty soft from being so young? If it is, then the browness could be shell rot and it would be best to take your turtle to the vet.
As for the basking, since you just moved he is probably getting used to the new environment. When I got my turtle he just stayed in the water for almost a week. When he gets more accustomed with his new place, he will go back to his normal self.

Answer 4

Wether you believe it or not TURTLES DO SHED THEIR SHELL! I can't see your tutle so I'm not sure if this is what is happening for sure. I would suggest that you use Stress Coat in the tank. They say this is good for fish, but it is great for turtle too! Also, I use a turtle conditioner once every other month whis has great stuff in it for their shells, and keep the tank clean, it looks like a turtle shapped stone that desolves. I also use Amquel in my tank which helps break up waste and amonia! The funniest thing about turtles is that most people don't realize that they do grow, and when this happens layers of their shell break off to reveal new, and bigger shell. This may also change the color of their shell. My one, when he was a baby was almost a jet black green, now it is a light green. I have a turtle that is 4 years old and one that is 3 years old. It is not impossible for them to get shell rot, but these steps have helped my turtles.

Answer 5

Map turtles, good decision! properly turtles are complicated pets to take care of, yet is often very hardy. Map turtles decision from 3 in. to 5 in. In adult males, yet women can upward thrust as a lot as ten inches! i'd reccomend making particular that your turtle is a boy, Bo remember what species, because they tend to stay smaller. With adult males, a fifty 5-seventy 5 gallon tank what be proper. women, on the different hand, will be more effective positive off in a one hundred twenty 5 gallon! So verify you've a male, at the same time as ordering your turtle. you are able to income this on-line on some web pages. Now, the fundamentals: * A basking platform (you'll get them on amazon, or maximum puppy shops) this should be completely out of water * A uvb/UVA bulb and a separate warmth lamp both aimed above the platform, mimicking the solar and assisting provide off good digestion and a not common shell. * an recommendations-blowing filter out the bigger the more effective positive, turtles are very messy animals! * The water temp might want to fall between seventy 5-80 degrees, get a submersible heater and verify that is for turtles! To make your turtle experience at homestead and shelter, get some flowers, and some thing he can hide and sleep in. also I propose getting a history poster to positioned on the decrease back of your tank. this would provide a experience of safe practices for your turtle. For food, infant turtles are carnivores, so beware! Jk, yet they're so get shrimp out of your puppy save or on-line. also use reptomin infant it has calcium and diet D for a not common shell. For adults, they eat regularly vegetables, so that you need to feed them romaine lettuce, and also Reptimin for adults. Reptomin is equipped in little sticks that elect the flow, my turtle loves them. My journey is I did a good number of analyze, ordered a southern painted hatchling on-line. i became easily lengthy gone at the same time as he got here, so my mom had to positioned him in a tank. would have died to work out that! I got here homestead and set up the tank proper, and then he has been residing thankfully in a 10 gallon, yet am shifting the nonetheless-tiny guy right into a 20 gallon lengthy. i am going to't wait...! execs: personable, humorous, amazing, and hardy Cons- can get enormous, dirty, and infrequently chew (no longer frequently in simple terms snapping turtles) i'm hoping I helped and choose you the most proper if success!

Answer 6

This is pretty vague. I would like you to review the basic cares- lighting, heating, water size and quality, diet, etc.

The sites listed below are a good start.

I'm betting that you'll discover that there are some areas in the cares that need some adjustment. Once you have the trouble areas fixed, the turtle will probably improve.

If it does not, then a vet may be needed.

Answer 7

ok, the problem with your little guy is that he's not basking like he's suppose to, make sure he gets out of the water and bask,and if he don't,then you can do it manually.Just make sure he bask dailly and his shell should look normal in a week or so.
Good luck

Answer 8

the same thing happen to my turtle i didnt do much i just let it be now ive had my turtle for 7 years.But if you want take it to the Vet.

Answer 9

probley needs vitas, go to pet store or if u want to pay alot of $ go 2 vet

Answer 10

either something's wrong and you should take him to the vet(probably best choice). or he's just unhappy but changing to his suroundings. it could also be a growing-up-thing with 'im.