All Turtles Message Board

KrisDog · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:20 pm Post subject: Shedding

Hi all.
I know that RESs shed their skin, but I'm wondering how much? I'm not sure if the ammount of skin hanging off of Scratch is normal, new environment and stress, or that there's something wrong.

He's eating well, swims and basks (as long as I don't walk in too quickly!), and seems fine, but he's got a lot of dead skin hanging from his neck and front and back legs. He actually bites at his front legs a bit to remove it.

What do you think? I'll post a picture, but he's so active that it's tough to get a clear shot at what I'm seeing...

I appraciate any thoughts Cool

Thanks!

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Kris.

turtle_grl77 · Level 4 Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 985 Location: Florida

Whats your water temp set at? It appears, in judging against my turtles, normal amount.

KrisDog · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the reply...
The water's at 80 degrees.

He seems fine, so I guess I'm not worried Smile

His shell also has a couple flakes on it... does that shed as well? He had some alge (I assume... greenish-black specs) and a white spot that's in the front near his head (looks like he bumped into something) from the pet store on his shell when we got him. I'm a worry-wort when it come to my pets... Total hypocondriac!

I also know next to nothing about what's normal on a RES. I really like him a lot though... He's very cool! My dog LOVES him, and Scratch doesn't seem to mind her at all. Everyday there are new nose prints on the glass for me to clean!

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Kris.

toxiceagle2007 · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject:

I notice a significant increase in skin shedding when I feed my turtles a lot of protein (ie>feeder fish etc).

I recall reading somewhere that rapid growth will cause excessive skin shedding.

I hope that helps some Smile

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Fred and Bobette are my best friends Smile

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turtbert · Level 3 Joined: 14 Jan 2006 Posts: 272

One of mine is shedding quite a bit at the moment, my larger one was a while ago but seems to have stopped now. Nothing to worry about unless the skin looks sore underneath!!!
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1 Penninsular Cooter - Spook
1 False Map - Splosh
1 YBS - Scoot
1 hermans tortoise - Munchkin

rip- sparkie