It is a slider turtle.
2007-02-05 03:00:27 · 6 answers · asked by Janie 2 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
A soft shell in a slider, or any other turtle species that is supposed to have a rigid shell, is a sign of a severe lack of calcium.
When most animals need calcium that they are not getting through their diet, they start to 'steal it' from muscles and organs, then from the skelton. For turtles, after they start to steal it from the skeleton, they start taking it from the shell.
Calcium is an interesting mineral. You get it from your diet, but you need vitamin D3 to be able to use it. Most of us get D3 from sunlight (UV-B rays), or eating red or organ meats. You also need phosphorous in the right ratio (too much makes bones soft, and many human foods are high in phosphorous), magnesium, etc.
Softshell in turtles means this whole process is messed up- some combination of not enough dietary calcium, no good UVB lighting, not enough D3, too much phosphorous, etc.
If not corrected, the turtle will develop an aggressive case of Metabolic Bone Disease which will deform the skeleton and badly injure the liver and other organs.
Once discovered, the best treatment is to change the basic cares the turtle is getting to a healthier program.
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com and http://www.redearslider.com offer some good care and diet advice.
2007-02-05 06:24:26 · answer #1 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Turtles need different types of light to stay healthy. We have a heat lamp and a fluorescent light that provides both UVA and UVB light. The fluorescent light helps the turtle produce vitamin D-3 which keeps it's shell healthy. Without it, a turtle's shell gets soft and can become deformed. This can eventually kill it. Go get a light today and while you are at the pet shop, buy some supplements to help until your turtle is better.
2007-02-05 03:31:38 · answer #2 · answered by taginsc 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The turtle is sick, and it will die if you don't tend to it.
They need special lighting. UV is not enough. There are lights that provide both types of rays for turtles. They need the rays to penetrate the shell as well as to keep them warm.
2007-02-05 03:11:19 · answer #3 · answered by lc7868 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah the turtle is getting sick
2007-02-05 03:36:55 · answer #4 · answered by Liya J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea its not enough uvb they need theat to make calcuim for ther bones.if you dont have uvb it will delovop metabolic bone problem and not have any calcuim in its bones .get a uvb if its not too late
2007-02-06 02:52:16 · answer #5 · answered by bakerjunkie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its ready to eat!!! or else it's sick go check your vet or eat it
2007-02-05 03:04:00 · answer #6 · answered by native_pride_666 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋