Question about a Red Eared Sliders Shell.?

Question

The top ridge (line that runs from the neck of the turtle to the tail) of both my Red Eared Sliders shell is a different color than the rest of the shell. They are both healthy and very active! Can anyone tell me why this part of the shell is different color? They are both growing fast (one is growing faster than the other), but I don't know if this is the reason for the shell being a different color.

Thanks!

Answer 1

The difference in color has nothing to do with gender.
It is called a vertebral stripe, and is completely normal.

Answer 2

Most of its body is dark olive green with thin yellow green stripes and bars on the top of its shell (carapace), legs and face. The green coloration of the carapace on a juvenile becomes masked by black pigmentation with age, making older individuals, especially males, appear almost black with no visible markings. In fact, these mature males are so different in appearance that they once were considered a separate species.

Answer 3

The different color streak is pretty natural- the entire shell will darken with age.

Different growing rates MAY mean one is a boy, but may also indicate some stress- perhaps too small of a tank.

Check out http://www.redearslider.com for some good care guidelines.

Answer 4

My son has a red eared slider turtle and a book that come along with him..........the different color shells just means one is a female and the other is a male.Try to go on www.google.com and look under turles....red eared sliders;good luck