Turtles' Shedding Cycle: Understanding The Duration And Process

Turtles shed their shells and skin, but unlike snakes, they don't shed their skin all in one piece. Instead, they shed their skin in small, irregular pieces. While all turtles shed the skin on their limbs, neck, and head, not all turtle species shed their shells.

Most turtles will shed their shells about once a year, but younger turtles shed more frequently, whereas older turtles shed less frequently. The process can take up to two months to complete.

Why do turtles shed their shells?

A turtle's shell is made up of small bones—around 60 of them—covered by plates called scutes. These scutes are made of keratin, the same material as human fingernails. As a turtle grows, its shell expands to accommodate its new size. The scutes are not elastic enough to stretch out, so the turtle grows new, wider scutes underneath the current ones. As the new scutes grow, they push off the old scutes, which eventually shed away. This process is called moulting or shedding.

Shedding is very common in both wild and captive turtles. While it depends on the species, most turtles will shed their shells about once a year. Younger turtles shed more frequently to accommodate growth, while older turtles tend to shed less frequently.

Turtles shed their shells to accommodate shell growth. As the new scutes grow, they push off the old scutes, which eventually fall off. This process ensures that the shell expands as the turtle grows.

In addition, shedding helps turtles keep their shells clean and free of any type of blockage or infection. For aquatic turtles, shedding is necessary to prevent shell rot and parasitic infections, which are more prone to occur in water. Shedding also helps turtles rid their shells of algae and other things that grow in an aquatic environment.

Finally, turtles' shells will peel when they are injured or damaged. If a scute is lost or damaged, turtles' shells have the ability to regenerate, and shedding is part of this healing process.

How to recognise healthy turtle shell peeling

Turtle shell peeling is a normal, natural process that all turtles go through. However, it is important to be able to distinguish healthy peeling from unhealthy peeling, as the latter could indicate an underlying health issue. Here are some ways to recognise healthy turtle shell peeling:

Uniform Peeling

Healthy turtle shell peeling typically occurs uniformly across the shell. You may notice that the peeling is consistent across many of the scutes, which are the plate-like scales that cover the shell. This indicates that the turtle is shedding its shell in a uniform manner, which is a sign of healthy peeling.

Intact and Whole Scutes

After the scutes have fallen off, they should appear intact and whole. Healthy turtle shell peeling usually results in scutes that come off in one piece, rather than in multiple parts. If the scutes are broken or fragmented, it could be a sign of abnormal shedding due to illness or injury.

Translucent Appearance

The shed scutes should appear thin and translucent, resembling the shell that they came from. Thick or opaque scutes may indicate that they were prematurely shed due to sharp objects in the turtle's environment or other issues.

Natural Fall-Off

During healthy turtle shell peeling, the scutes will typically fall off on their own without any intervention. It is important to let this process occur naturally and refrain from pulling or peeling the scutes off forcefully. If the scutes are resistant to being removed, it is best to leave them alone and allow them to fall off when ready.

Normal Behaviour and Appearance of the Turtle

A healthy turtle will continue to behave and appear normal during the shell peeling process. Monitor your turtle's overall health and behaviour, and watch for any abnormal signs such as lethargy, anorexia, or raw or bleeding skin. These could indicate an underlying health issue.

Occasional Peeling

Healthy turtle shell peeling typically occurs occasionally, depending on the species and age of the turtle. Younger turtles tend to shed more frequently to accommodate their growth, while older turtles shed less frequently. If your turtle is shedding excessively or continuously, it may be a sign of abnormal shedding.

What to do if your turtle is shedding

It is important to be able to distinguish between healthy and abnormal shedding in turtles. While the former is a normal part of a turtle's growth, the latter could indicate underlying health issues. Here are some things to do and keep in mind if your turtle is shedding:

Recognise the signs of shedding

You might notice your turtle rubbing its scutes (the hard, plate-like scales on its shell) against the walls of its tank or basking more. Depending on the species, the colour and texture of the shell might also change—it may become shinier.

Allow the shedding to occur naturally

It may be tempting to help your turtle peel off its scutes, but this could hurt your turtle and expose it to infection. Allow the scutes to fall off on their own.

Monitor for abnormal shedding

Abnormal shedding, or dysecdysis, could be a sign of underlying health issues. Consult a veterinarian if you notice any of the following:

• The shell under the peeling scutes looks deformed, reddened, bloody, or has exposed bone.
• The shell feels soft or spongy.
• Your turtle is continuously shedding scutes or the scutes are peeling but not falling off completely.
• The scutes do not fall off intact and whole.
• Your turtle is shedding more than just the outer layer of skin.

Maintain a suitable environment

Ensure that your turtle's environment does not have any sharp rocks or other items that can cause injury. Maintain the ideal temperature for your turtle's species, and make sure there are no hot spots that can injure your turtle. Provide a good water filter that can remove both chemical and biological contaminants.

Provide a suitable diet

Feed your turtle a well-balanced diet with enough plant matter. For turtles that need more calcium in their diet, offer calcium supplements, commercial turtle diets with added nutrients, or food items high in calcium such as cuttlebone and kale.

Consult a veterinarian

If you are unsure or notice any abnormal signs, it is always best to seek advice from a veterinarian. They can help diagnose any underlying medical issues and prescribe appropriate treatment.

What to do if your turtle is shedding abnormally

Abnormal shedding in turtles, also known as dysecdysis, is a serious issue as it leaves your turtle's shell exposed and vulnerable to infection. It can also be a symptom of an underlying health condition such as bone disease, liver, kidney, or thyroid issues, or a nutritional deficiency. If you notice that your turtle is shedding abnormally, here are some steps you can take:

Assess the severity of the condition:

Determine if the abnormal shedding is mild or severe. Mild cases may be managed by making adjustments to your turtle's habitat and diet, while more severe cases will require veterinary attention.

Remove sharp objects:

Sharp rocks or other items in your turtle's enclosure can cause injury to their scutes (the hard scales on their shell). Remove any potential hazards from the enclosure to prevent further damage.

Provide optimal nutrition:

Ensure that your turtle is receiving a well-balanced diet with the correct amount of calcium and vitamin D. Offer vitamin and calcium supplements, commercial turtle diets, or food items high in calcium such as cuttlebone and kale.

Maintain ideal temperatures:

Check that the water, basking, and ambient temperatures in your turtle's enclosure are within the appropriate range for their specific species. For most North American turtles, a basking temperature of 90°F and a water temperature of 75°F-85°F are generally suitable.

Provide access to UV light:

UV light is essential for the growth and shedding of outer scutes. If your turtle is kept indoors, set up a UV lamp in their enclosure and replace the bulbs every 6 months as UV emissions weaken over time.

Ensure good water quality:

Use a high-quality water filter that can remove both chemical and biological contaminants. Change the water regularly and maintain optimal water conditions to support your turtle's health.

Consult a veterinarian:

If the abnormal shedding persists or is accompanied by other negative signs, consult a veterinarian. They can diagnose any underlying health issues and prescribe appropriate treatments, such as antibiotics or debridement (gentle cleaning of the affected area).

Remember, it is important to act promptly if you notice abnormal shedding in your turtle, as it can be a sign of a more serious health issue. By providing optimal habitat conditions and nutrition, you can help support your turtle's health and well-being during this time.

How to prevent abnormal shedding

How to Prevent Abnormal Turtle Shell Shedding

Abnormal shedding, or dysecdysis, in turtles can be a serious issue as it leaves the turtle's shell exposed to infection and can be a sign of other health issues. Here are some ways to prevent abnormal shell shedding in turtles:

Provide a Suitable Environment:

• Ensure there are no sharp rocks or other objects in the enclosure that can cause injury to the turtle's shell.
• Maintain ideal temperatures for the specific turtle species. For most North American turtles, a basking temperature of 90°F (32°C) and a water temperature between 75-85°F (24-29°C) are generally appropriate.
• Provide access to UV light, especially for indoor turtles. Use a UV lamp and change the bulbs every 6 months as UV emissions weaken over time.

Optimal Water Conditions:

• Use a good quality water filter that can remove both chemical and biological contaminants, including ammonia. High ammonia levels in the water can lead to abnormal shedding.
• Regularly change the water in the enclosure to maintain good water quality.

Proper Diet:

• Feed a well-balanced diet with enough plant matter and ensure the turtle is receiving adequate nutrition, including important vitamins and minerals.
• Provide supplements or food items high in calcium and vitamin D to support shell growth and health.

Monitor for Health Issues:

• Regularly inspect the turtle's shell for any signs of abnormal shedding, such as scutes falling off in parts rather than whole pieces.
• If you notice any signs of illness or abnormal shedding, consult a veterinarian for advice.

Avoid Overfeeding:

Overfeeding can lead to rapid growth and abnormal shedding. Feed a healthy, balanced diet without excessive amounts of protein pellets.

By providing a suitable environment, optimal water conditions, and a proper diet, you can help prevent abnormal shell shedding in turtles and promote their overall health and well-being.

Frequently asked questions