My Red Ear Slider turtle's shell looks like it is peeling off in sections. I don't know whether it is supposed to do this every so often and if I should take it to a vet or not. Thanks.
2007-03-03 09:34:19 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Yes it is normal in moderation. If all scutes peel off at once you could have a problem. But if its just a few here and there its nothing to worry about. Although make sure you dechlorinate your water and provide spot to get out of the water and UVB basking lamp. If you wanna know more www.chelonia.org is a great site. They have a care sheet for RES's.
2007-03-03 11:35:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The shell is covered by a keratin layer called scutes. As the turtle grows, it will shed its scutes on the upper (carapace) and lower (plastron) shell. Usually turtles will shed 1-2 times a year and it takes about four weeks for a complete shed. You can help the scutes off, cause it is so tempting to see it dangling... it is normal; no need to see a vet.
2016-03-16 03:43:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All turtles shed. the shell sheds scutes as well. Just means your turtle's growing! like others said, give him/her a nice place to get out of the water and bask under a UVA/UVB lamp and make sure there's no chlorine in it's water.
2007-03-03 13:33:15 · answer #3 · answered by Keith M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as it's only a top layer of the scutes, this is normal. These will be thin and pretty transparent. They'll shed their skin, also.
If it looks like larger, thicker pieces are coming off, there are "pits" and it looks red around them, or you see bone, this is a problem for a vet. See this website for photos descriptions of shell problems: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medshell.htm (shedding is near the end)
2007-03-03 09:42:43 · answer #4 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont know the answer but u should look ^ if that is natural on the web. If u cant find anything about it then take it to the vet. It could b dangerous.
2007-03-03 09:40:28 · answer #5 · answered by giddygirl401 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes i have 6 turtles myself and they shed all the time.
2007-03-03 09:51:24 · answer #6 · answered by Eddy M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All reptiles shed to grow. It's natural. Don't worry about it! If you want you can go to a local vet to make sure...but it's natural,trust me.
2007-03-03 09:39:49 · answer #7 · answered by Matty :] 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are supposed to, yes. It means that your turtle is getting bigger and they need new shell so they can grow.
2007-03-03 09:42:25 · answer #8 · answered by Elizabeth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's normal, the shed when they grow. If you didn't know this you should do some research.
2007-03-03 19:20:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes this is completly normal
2007-03-03 10:36:03 · answer #10 · answered by Han Solo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋