Tortoises prefer to sleep in safe spots that will keep them safe from Skip to content. Shell Shedding and Scute Shedding Scute shedding is more common among younger turtles that are still growing. Scute shedding usually occurs when a turtle is growing. In some species, shedding happens when they reach a certain age. Scute shedding can also happen if the ammonia levels in the water are too high. Shedding also happens when a turtle is trying to prevent an infection.
Skin Shedding Skin shedding in turtles is a normal process that all turtles go through. Excessive Shedding If your turtle is shedding its skin excessively then this can be due to one of the following reasons: Sudden growth , in which case you should adjust the quantity of food that you are giving it to eat.
Overheating , overheating can damage the sink and this will result in excessive shedding. To make sure that overheating is not the problem then you should check the temperature of the basking area. But for most turtles 85 Fahrenheit 29 Celsius degrees should be a good temperature. Vitamin A is very important in the diet of a turtle. Too much or too little vitamin A can lead to excessive skin shedding.
If your turtle gets too much vitamin A the skin will start to thicken which will lead to shedding, and too much vitamin A can also lead to liver damage. Too little vitamin A will make the skin very thin and fragile. High ammonia levels can damage the skin which will cause shedding, to find out if this is the problem you have to get a water testing kit.
An infection , if this is the case, you should go with your turtle to the vet as soon as possible. How to Tell the Difference Between Shedding and Shell Rot Shell rot is an infection of the shell, and it can be easily mistaken with shedding. If your turtle is suffering from shell rot you will see the following signs: Strange indentations in the shell. White spots on the shell. Pink Spots. Shedding scutes is also a means to stave off and fight shell rot, infection and sickness.
You see, one of the reasons that turtle will bask layout in the sun , besides to dry out its shell and skin, is to raise its internal temperature. Do you have a pet turtle?? Do you want him to be featured on our Turtle Board? The reason for this is that shell rot and parasitic infection are much prone to occur in the water, and so turtles that spend a higher proportion of their lives in said water, are much more at risk from this.
If you fear your turtle may be at risk for a parasitic infection, you should add this to your water. The solution is designed specifically for turtle tanks, and breaks down organic waste and excess debris in your tank. Other types of turtles, such as box turtles, do not shed their scutes as often.
And when they do, it is largely as part of a healing process. Right before a turtle hibernates, it will sometimes experience some peeling. This is totally natural and will prepare it for the long sleep ahead. However, a turtle will typically shed much more often right after emerging from hibernation, where it will bask quite often. As the turtle outgrows its skin, it sheds it. A turtle shedding skin on the neck is nothing to worry about.
This also helps the turtle to rid itself of infections and parasites. As already mentioned, aquatic turtles shed their scutes to ensure a streamlined shell and rid the shell of algae and infections.
Aquatic turtles such as map turtles Graptemys , cooters Pseudemys , painted turtles , terrapins , and sliders all shed their scutes. This is normal and as such, there is no need to panic if it seems like the turtle shell is peeling off.
It most likely just shedding. Unlike there are other negative signs, you have no need to worry. Box turtles who are terrestrial belong to the pond turtle family and shed their scutes as well. A turtle shedding its scutes also helps aquatic freshwater turtles prevent and stave off parasitic infections and shell rot which happens more frequently among aquatic turtles as they spend most of their time in the water.
You might notice your turtle rubbing its scutes against the wall of the tank or the decorative items placed in the tank. Basking helps them absorb more UVB rays, ensuring that the shells remain healthy for the longest possible period. Depending on the species, you might also notice a slight change in the color of the shells.
The texture might also change once the turtle is about to shed and become shinier than before. Seeing all those scutes on the verge of shedding might tempt you to peel them off and accelerate the process, but you should never do that. Both of these vitamins together ensure that your turtle sheds its shell faster. There are some conditions that force the turtle to shed its scutes more often than normal.
These include. Just as there are conditions that can make your turtle shed its outer scutes, there are also certain things that prevent a freshwater turtle from shedding. Correct any inadequacies so your turtle can live a healthy and full life. Turtles may also eat the shed scute right after it falls off. Turtles need to receive the right amount of calcium in their diet.
Calcium ensures that their shell and bones grow as they are supposed to. To prevent this, ensure the temperatures within the enclosure is right for your turtle. For most North American turtles, a basking temperature of 90 F and a water temperature of 75 to 85 F are generally appropriate.
Even grown turtles shed their scutes, though, particularly ones that spend a significant amount of time in the water. Shedding the scutes piece by piece rids the turtle of shell rot and parasitic infections that can occur as a result of being too much in water. If you have a pet turtle who loves the water, you need to be mindful when his shell starts to shed. Shell rot is a condition that occurs when a turtle spends too much time in the water and not enough on dry land, preventing his shell from periodically drying out and causing unnatural infection, erosion and shedding.
Consult with your vet to determine how much time your species of turtle should spend outside of the water, and if need be, separate him from the water accordingly so that his shell dries out.
Tom Ryan is a freelance writer, editor and English tutor. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in English writing, and has also worked as an arts and entertainment reporter with "The Pitt News" and a public relations and advertising copywriter with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
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