pet turtle shells are getting soft...?

Question

we have two pet turtles that were caught from a local resevoir. both of them are about the size of a half dollar. recently, their shells have become soft - almost flexible.

we have them under a heat lamp and feed them regular turtle food bought from the store. is this normal? is there something else we should be doing? are they sick?

thank you in advance for any help or suggestions.

one is a painted turtle (i know for sure) and one is a green turtle (or so i'm told)

Answer 1

It sounds like these turtles have a calcium deficiency. If the "heat lamp" you're using doesn't emit UVB rays, changing the light should make a world of difference. Turtles need exposure to ultra-violet B (UVB) rays in order to synthesize vitamin D3 and in turn, metabolize calcium. In captivity they can receive these UVB rays from specially designed fluorescent lights or from UVB emitting mercury vapor bulbs. Most pet stores sell fluorescent lights that will help your turtles metabolize calcium. The turtle food you already have may have enough calcium in it, but without the right light it doesn't help the turtle. If you feed your turtle crickets, you can buy a calcium powder to dust the crickets with too. I've heard dog food has calcium and is a good source of calcium for turtles, but I have never gotten a turtle to eat it.
Other posts make a good point that it could be a disease and wild animals are best left in the wild. On the other hand, it is now part of your responsibility to nurse these guys back to health weather you return them to their home or not. Which reminds me... another great source of UV rays for turtles is the sun. Can you set up an outside enclosure during the day? That's what we did for our 3 young turtles every summer and they loved it!! A kiddy pool with upside down flower pots with holes broke into the sides and little ramps and sunbathing areas. The flower pots are great because if the waters the right height the turtle can swim underneath for hiding and climb on top to sunbathe.

Answer 2

Go to www.austinsturtlepage.com for more info. They need a certain temperature for basking out of the water, they must have UVB lighting all day, water heater, strong water filter. Need at least 10 gallons per 1 inch of shell length per turtle (adults need very large tanks). Water depth 1.5 inches times the shell length at least. Food needs to be varied...good turtle chow, fish, insects, greens and other vegies. Not easy to keep turtles healthy...a lot of work. Soft shells are a sign of improper keeping.

Answer 3

First off you need to identify what type of turtles they are and what their common name is. If it is a red ear slider, I suggest you go to www.redearslider.com and register then ask questions within the forum. I suggest that you do your best to maintain a proper heat temperature. Make sure they get plenty of protein and vegtable nutrition. Red ear slider turtles should be eating reptomin turtle sticks. Those are the best. Make sure your water is 75degrees F

Answer 4

Your turtle needs a spot where he can come out entirely out of the water and bask under uvb or basking light to get vitamin d.

Answer 5

first off are the turtles in water..because they belong in water if its not then put them in 1 inch of water since they arent tortoises..nxt after u touch the turtles dont put it anywhere near ur mouth or anywhere else wash ur hands wiht soap turtles carry salmonella disease and that can kill u. nxt u can bring it to the vet and let them examine it gud luck

Answer 6

It depends on the type of turtle.It may have shell disease.D'ONT TOUCH THE SHELL AT ANT MOMENT!You could get sick very easily.I suggest to take your turtle to the vet.Turtles can get very sick very easily.Alswell,you could get sick easily.

Answer 7

If you got it from the wild- mabey you should put it back in a forest or something. They are wild animals, they want to be in the wild. There shells are probably softening because of anxiety. So put them back in the wild in a safe area.

Answer 8

buy vita shell at your local petsmart or petco even al walmart