My turtles shell is soft, how can i make it hard?

Question

I just got a little swimming turtle like 2 days ago and its shell is soft, and im scared its going to brake or something, what can i do to make it harder and strong? its like really small turtle its still a baby like an ince in a half, and ive only had it for two days.... so what will make it strong?

Answer 1

Some (ahem) 'interesting' answers.

I'm going to assume this is a Red-ear Slider or Painted Turtle- but be aware that different species have different needs. Most of these points will not apply in the same way for a Box Turtle or a tortoise!

1. Babies, up to about 2", often have softish shells. It takes a few months to firm up, and there may be some softness (such as the middle of the plastron- the belly shell) for almost a year.

2. With the baby turtle, the shell should be like it is made from some sort of stiffish rubber- give and flex back- nice and springy with a little resistance.

3. If the turtle is older, or of the shell is not very springy, it is true soft shell- and pretty advanced.

4. Turtles need a lot of calcium, but in order to use the calcium correctly, they also need vitamin D3, phosphorus, magnesium, etc. They get most of this in good quality pellets and other good food.

5. Vitamin D3 is also made in their skin (and ours as well) when it is exposed to UVB light. If they are not getting enough D3 in the diet, it MUST come from UVB lighting- either specialized light bulbs, or from direct sunlight (not through any glass or plastic).

6. Besides pellets, baby turtles should eat worms, bugs, snails, shrimp, krill, etc.- check out your local pet store's live and frozen fish food section. A daily serving should only be about as big as the turtle's head- so don't overfeed.

7. Baby and young pond turtles SHOULD NOT get fruits, fatty foods, or hardly any veggies- this kind of food does not have the right nutrition, but as the turtle gets bigger- 5" or so, it wills tart to eat dark leafy greens and some colorful veggies.

For more, try http://www.austinsturtlepage.com

Answer 2

I see the funny answers are taken, so hear you go:

last sentence: "Also, when the turtle can get completely out of the water and dry off, it allows the shell to harden."


Q: What kind of equipment to I need to make my turtle comfortable?

A: First thing you should look into is a good filter. Turtles stink, any owner of turtles will tell you that. The best way to keep the smell down is to have an effective filter. Most filters are designed for fish tanks, great, but turtles need more than that. (See question 5 for more info)

NO GRAVEL IN THE TANK! Gravel at the bottom is where most of the smells will come from. Uneaten food and waste will get into the gravel and fester there. If you have a clean glass bottom, the filter will remove any thing like that and the turtles will not be able to eat the gravel. If your turtle eats gravel, they can't digest it and you could have problems.

Next, if you can't keep the tank at approximately 72F (22-23C), look into a heater. Here is where fish and turtles need the same thing. Get a heater that is meant for your tank size. Also on the topic of temperature, get the little guys a basking lamp and a nice rock or ledge on which to use it. Turtles get their body heat from their surroundings as they are cold blooded. Giving them a nice warm basking lamp and rock on which to sit is a wonderful thing. Also, when the turtle can get completely out of the water and dry off, it allows the shell to harden.

Answer 3

It'll harden once it grows. Of course if it doesn't there are such things as softshell turtles.

Chances are, you have a painted turtle, red-eared slider, or a similar shaped turtle. So also make sure you give it a good-sized tank because they won't grow if the tanks to small.

Answer 4

The most common cause of a soft shell is insufficient Calcium and/or insufficient Vitamin D3. If your turtle has a soft shell and is otherwise healthy, you must provide him with enough calcium and a way to synthesize Vitamin D3.

Check out this site:

Answer 5

You should give it more calcium. It's shell is like your bones. So if the shell does not get enough calcium, it becomes weak and soft and soon breaks. I am a turtle lover, so you better make it well.

Answer 6

I beleive it has to do with the turtle not being able to get out of the water completely. His shell has to be out of water a period of time every day. You could also call the place you bought him from or a vet and ask.

Introduction
Various species of water turtles are kept as pets in the United States. Most of those purchased by hobbyists originate from the southern and eastern regions of the U.S. By law, imported turtles of most species must be at least 4 inches long. The trade in exotic turtles has been increasing in recent years, especially in countries with poor animal protection laws and abundant turtle populations.
Turtles inhabit all parts of the world with a temperate to warm climate and are especially abundant in the tropics and subtropics. Water turtles are found in a wide variety of habitats, including ponds, swamps, small pools thick with vegetation, lakes of all sizes, large streams and rivers.

All water turtles share some obvious physical characteristics, such as a top and bottom shell and webbed feet Many have developed specific adaptations to cope with specific environmental conditions. The Diamondback Terrapin, for example, is confined in its geographic distribution to the brackish water of the coastal eastern U.S. Brackish water has a salt content between that of fresh and sea water). The Malaysian Snail-Eating Turtle survives well in its environment on a diet of mainly snails.

The Mata Mata is an unusual-looking turtle that resembles the rotting vegetation found on the bottoms of the relatively shallow lakes and rivers in which it lives. It is a poor swimmer and rarely leaves its aquatic habitat, except to lay eggs. The Mata Mata rests motionless on the bottom, well camouflaged among the decomposing vegetation, and lies in wait for its prey. The turtle can breathe during these long intervals through a long, narrow nose (similar to a snorkel), the end of which just breaks the surface of the water. When a small fish or other prey animal swims by, the Mata Mata opens its mouth and sucks its prey in, all in a split second.

The juvenile Alligator Snapping Turtle's olive green-brown color camouflages it well against the bottoms of rivers in which it lives. To attract prey within striking distance, it opens its mouth and wiggles its unique bright pink, slender tongue. As a small fish moves in for a closer look, it is quickly trapped in the turtle's jaws. The adult Alligator Snapping Turtle, the largest freshwater turtle in the world, can reach 200 lb or more, and can eat an entire duck in one gulp!

Hobbyists should study and thoroughly familiarize themselves with the natural history and habits of any turtle species they intend to acquire before they select their new pet This "homework" helps ensure the turtle will thrive in captivity.

Answer 7

It's the lack of nutrition that your turtle is receiving.

I would suggest purchasing a lamp for your turtle and get a UV bulb. Your turtle receives nutrition through it's shell from natural sunlight, but since that's not possible (and not recommended) in this case, the best bet is to get a UV light fixture for him.

Answer 8

It needs a basking light and a dock it can climb up on. Most pet stores carry both. Make sure the temperature of the water is 79-80 degrees also. If it aquatic it needs warmer water.

Answer 9

babys start out with soft shells, just make sure to feed it right and it will be fine.

Answer 10

calcium powder i had that problem to just buy pellets or crickets and just cover it with the powder