Helping Your Turtle: Shedding Tips And Tricks

Turtles shed their shells and skin as a normal part of their growth and development. While it is not cause for concern, there are ways to help your turtle shed healthily. Turtles shed their shells in scutes, which are the thin outer layers of each section of the shell. This process is necessary to prevent the shell from becoming too thick and heavy, and to get rid of algae and infections. Turtles also shed the skin on their exposed body parts, such as the head, neck, and legs. This is less noticeable than shell shedding, especially when the turtle is underwater.

To help your turtle shed, you can provide vitamins A and E in their diet, and set up UVB lamps or give them access to natural sunlight. You can also place rocks in their tank or enclosure for them to rub against to help loosen the scutes.

Provide vitamins A and E in their diet

Providing vitamins A and E in their diet is crucial for the health of your turtle. Here are some detailed guidelines on how to do this:

Vitamin A:

Vitamin A is essential for the health of your turtle's bones, muscles, eyes, eyelids, lungs, trachea, mouth, and reproductive system. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to loss of appetite, weight loss, swollen eyelids, respiratory issues, mouth infections, and in severe cases, organ failure.

To ensure your turtle gets enough vitamin A, include dark, leafy greens such as mustard greens, dandelion greens (not treated with lawn chemicals), and turnip greens. You can also feed them brightly coloured fruits and vegetables like papayas, mangos, sweet potatoes, yellow peppers, carrots, and other orange, red, and yellow veggies.

It's important to note that while vitamin A supplements are available, they should only be used under the guidance of a veterinarian, as excessive supplementation can lead to toxicity.

Vitamin E:

Vitamin E is critical for maintaining a strong and healthy shell for your turtle. It helps repair injuries to the shell, promotes healthy shell growth, and aids in shedding the scutes (the small square-shaped material on the outer layer of the shell). Vitamin E also helps remove mineral deposits on the shell if your turtle lives in hard water.

A deficiency in vitamin E will first show as an unhealthy shell, with scutes hanging off and appearing drier than usual. It may also lead to a disease called steatitis, which causes inflammation of body fats, resulting in weak muscles and lethargy.

To provide vitamin E, look for turtle pellets that are high in this vitamin. If pellets are not an option, you can buy vitamin E supplements or try feeding your turtle human foods rich in vitamin E, such as sweet potato, apple peels, and blueberries.

Set up UVB lamps or give access to natural sunlight

To help your turtle shed, it is important to set up UVB lamps or give them access to natural sunlight. This is because access to UVB light is essential for adequate growth and shedding of outer scutes.

If your turtle lives indoors, you will need to set up a UVB lamp in its enclosure. Make sure to position the lamp so that the temperature does not exceed 85°F in the warmest area for subtropical/temperate species (e.g. red-eared sliders and painted turtles) or 90°F for tropical aquatics (e.g. Malayan box turtles). Use a low-wattage bulb and change the bulbs every six months, as UV emissions weaken over time.

If your turtle lives outdoors, it will likely receive all the necessary UV light from the sun. However, if your turtle is kept indoors for long periods, it is important to provide access to natural sunlight by taking it outside or placing its enclosure near a window.

In addition to UVB light, turtles also require vitamin D3, which can be obtained through basking in sunlight. A lack of vitamin D3 can lead to stuck shed, where the old material builds up and causes problems such as infection and compromised circulation.

By providing your turtle with access to UVB light and sunlight, you will promote healthy shedding and support its overall growth and development.

Place rocks in their enclosure for them to rub against

If you notice your turtle is shedding, it's best to leave it alone and allow the process to take place naturally. However, there are some things you can do to help your turtle have a healthy shed. One of the ways to help your turtle shed is to place rocks in their enclosure for them to rub against.

Turtles shed their shells to make room for new growth. The shell expands as the turtle grows. The scutes, or hard scales on the shell, are shed to make way for larger ones. This process is called scute shedding. While the scutes on most turtles remain on the shell for life, some aquatic turtles shed the outer layer of their scutes annually. This helps them swim more easily and get rid of algae and other things that grow in their aquatic environment.

Before your turtle starts shedding, you may notice some changes in their behaviour. They may start rubbing their shells against objects in their tank or enclosure, such as the walls or decorative items. They may also start basking more to absorb more UVB rays, which help keep their shells healthy.

To help your turtle shed, you can place a few clean rocks in their tank or enclosure. This will give them more surfaces to rub against, which will help loosen the scutes. The rocks don't need to be fancy—just a couple of ordinary rocks will do. However, make sure they are smooth and don't have any sharp edges that could injure your turtle or cause premature shedding.

In addition to providing rocks, you can also help your turtle shed by ensuring their diet is rich in vitamins A and E, which are essential for shell growth. You should also provide them with access to UVB lamps or natural sunlight, and make sure their enclosure has the right temperature and water quality.

Ensure the water temperature is correct

To ensure the water temperature is correct, it is important to first know the species of 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. However, make sure you are aware of the temperature needs of your turtle. For example, subtropical/temperate species such as red-eared sliders and painted turtles should not be exposed to temperatures that exceed 85°F in the warmest area, while tropical aquatics such as Malayan box turtles can tolerate up to 90°F.

If the water temperature is too high, it can lead to overheating, which can cause excessive shedding and even damage the skin. If the water temperature is too low, it can prevent your turtle from shedding its outer scutes.

To maintain the correct water temperature, you can use a water heater. If the tank is not large enough, the basking spot lamp can also heat up the water, so be mindful of this.

It is also important to provide a basking area where your turtle can dry off and warm up. The basking spot should be warm enough for your turtle to dry off, but not too hot.

Provide a varied diet with lots of calcium

Calcium is one of the most important minerals for your turtle's health. It is needed for bone and shell development, as well as muscular function and a healthy immune system. A calcium deficiency can lead to serious health issues such as metabolic bone disease, shell deformities, and even paralysis.

To ensure your turtle gets enough calcium, it is recommended to provide a varied diet that includes calcium-rich foods and supplements. Here are some tips to help your turtle shed by providing a calcium-rich and varied diet:

• Include a variety of vegetables in your turtle's diet, such as dark, leafy greens (e.g. kale, romaine lettuce, collard greens, mustard greens, parsley, etc.). These vegetables are excellent sources of calcium and can be left in the water for your turtle to nibble on throughout the day.
• Offer vegetables high in beta carotene, such as squash, bell peppers, and other red, orange, and yellow vegetables. Beta carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, which is essential for the health of mucous membranes.
• Provide a source of vitamin D3 to aid in calcium absorption. Turtles can synthesize vitamin D3 from exposure to UVB rays, either through natural sunlight or artificial UVB lighting.
• Supplement with calcium blocks or cuttlebones, which can be placed directly into the water for your turtle to nibble on as needed. Cuttlebones should have the hard outer shell removed before being offered to turtles.
• Use a calcium powder supplement by placing your turtle's food in a plastic bag, adding a few drops of water, and then sprinkling in the calcium powder. Shake the bag to coat the food with calcium before offering it to your turtle.
• Include animal-based sources of calcium such as crayfish, shrimp, krill, or feeder fish. These can be fed with the shells intact to provide additional calcium. However, feeder fish should be given infrequently as they may carry parasites and bacteria.
• Offer insects and invertebrates such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms, roaches, and earthworms. These can be good sources of calcium, but should be fed in moderation as some may be high in fat.
• Provide a multivitamin supplement in addition to calcium to ensure your turtle is getting a full range of essential vitamins and minerals.
• Avoid excessive amounts of spinach, chard, and rhubarb as these can block the absorption of calcium.
• Limit or avoid cabbage, bok choy, broccoli, and collard greens as they can cause kidney disease and goiter. Small quantities of these vegetables are fine, but be sure to supplement with additional calcium.
• Be cautious when feeding fruit as it should only be given as an occasional treat. Apples and berries are good options, but be sure to cut them into small pieces before offering them to your turtle.
• Avoid processed foods such as hot dogs, lunch meat, and bread, as these are not suitable for turtles.

Frequently asked questions