Hey my turtle has been shedding for about a week and about three or so days ago it seemed that he stopped, but now he has started again. His shell is generally a dark green, but after a scute or two fell off he has a more vibrant olive color with a pattern on it. I'm not sure if he is sick or anything. He also has been bitting at his feet and sleeping in weird positions. Any comments? What are any causes/ remedies?
2007-06-28 16:57:09 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Reptiles
He is about 5 or 6 inches and he is currently in a 40 gallon tank with a light, a filtration system, and floating dock secured to the glass of the tank. He is currently eating ReptoMin pellets. What else is ok to feed him? (hopefully nothing alive)
2007-06-28 17:19:15 · update #1
Your turtle will be fine. They go through growth spurts and this is one of them. You have no greens or live fish for it to eat? Your poor turtle! After they are 4" in diameter, their diet need to consist of 50% live feeder fish (goldfish, minnows, rosy reds, etc), silk and wax worms, krill, snails, shrimp, and crickets; 25% pelet food (I'd recomend ZooMed's, Reptomin is ok but really doesn't carry the nutrients and vitamins like ZooMed or T-Rex does), and 25% dark leafy greens like kale, collards, mustard but NEVER lettuce of any sort as it is 99% water and holds no nutritonal value. Your remedie you ask for, is a proper diet for your turtle. They are supposed to have vibrant patterns. Do you have UVB lighting? This is critical for your turtle to metabolize it's calcium and to produce and metabolize vitamin D3 which prevents metabolic bone disease which is deadly.
2007-06-29 07:45:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Shed scutes are almost always a sign of something.
If the shed is paper thin, translucent, and the shell underneath is normal looking and smelling, then it is usually just a minor diet or stress issue that can be resolved by just tweaking the cares.
Thicker shed or other sheds that break these rules can be a sign of shell rot.
I suspect the overall cares and diet need to be examined. Give http://www.austinsturtlepage.com a try. It is about the best I know of!
2007-06-29 16:46:50 · answer #2 · answered by Madkins007 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is he in a large tank? Red are sliders need a large tank, a place to bask in the light, and a good food variety. Mine is about 6" long, 3 years old, and gets turtle food and fish. He is in a 29 gal tank and I plan to move him soon to a 55.
2007-06-28 17:04:40 · answer #3 · answered by MIKEnJAPAN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really think this is all normal, from the research that I have been doing on the internet about my own RES.
It just means he is growing.
As of what to feed him...you can find great lists on the internet.
I feed mine shrimp (they sell them (dead) canned in the pet store. The pellets like you have and freeze dried worms. I am not down with things that are alive either.
I am going to start adding vegitation to her diet...but am still researching what will be best. But I know they need a mix of protein ie: shrimp, worms....etc. and veggies.
hope this helps.
I am learning as well.
Good luck with your little turtle!!
2007-06-28 17:39:38 · answer #4 · answered by Rebecca44 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
my turtle has only shed twice in the past 8 years we had her. every day we take her out side to bask and she also has lighting in her tank. i don't know what the prob. could be email me if you need something
2007-06-30 10:07:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋