my slider (less than a year old) when i got him two months ago had a silver mark on his shell. now that mark is still there and i cannot tell if it is shell rot or something else. other marks on his shell looks like he is shedding and i cant tell. i keep the water clean, he has a basking lamp, and heater in the water. he also will not eat anything other than baby shrimp and bloodworms. i try offering him other things but he just refuses them daily. Please help.
2006-10-29 06:49:54 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
as long you have a basking lamp and a place for the turtle to get out of the water, you should be fine. I have a 2 year old and a 10 year old red eared slider and about every other year the 10 year old's top layer of her shell will come off in patches(stiff, but very thin like tissue paper) to reveal new shell. It's like a snake shedding it's skin. I got worried about it when it first happened because i thought it was shell rot, but it's completely normal. Usually happens in the fall. Shell rot usually happens if the turtle is unable to get out of the water to bask
2006-10-29 10:47:34 · answer #1 · answered by Kathleen D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Silver mark where? If you mean a whitish area on the middle of the shell, it may be shell rot. A white area on the edge is normal wear and tear. A white spot in the middle of the belly is common for baby turtles.
Baby shrimp and bloodworms are OK. Try some good quality turtle pellets as well for variety and vitamins.
For more help, try:
http://www.redearslider.com
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com
2006-10-29 22:37:12 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To add to the other good comments already out there....
Is the basking lamp just a heat lamp (UVA)? Or do you have a Sun (UVB) lamp on him? If it's just heat, it could very well be shell rot/soft shell. The UVB lamp helps keep those diseases at bay, and also helps them absorb their calcium and nutrients better.
Also, make sure he has a place in his tank where he can get out of the water and get dry. If he's wet all the time, he can develop fungus.
2006-10-30 16:48:50 · answer #3 · answered by yama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just keep on feeding the turtle the same until it doesn't want it anymore. for the silver mark, does it look like white patches? cuz if it does the shell might be soft. here's a sight with a list of sicknesses for turtles. http://www.freewebs.com/sliderville/illnesses.htm hope this helps!
2006-10-29 17:38:41 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you tried feeding him Wardley reptile pellets? thats what my turtles have eaten every since I got them two years ago. Sometimes turtles can have these markings. Mine have them on the top part of the shell where the two plates meet. As long as his shell if hard, you shouldn't have to worry about anything. You could look up first aid for turtles if you have any doubts. Thats where I learned turtle cpr.
2006-10-30 08:56:54 · answer #5 · answered by poofy 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i had the same problem, a baby turtle will eat mostly fish and meat until about 2 to 3 years, it is normal. Your turtle might of gotten hurt, see if there are any unsmooth surfaces, if so remove them, although a turtle's shell seem very protective, it is very also very sensative.
2006-10-29 16:53:45 · answer #6 · answered by nothing 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋