Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently got some babies, and today I noticed one's carapace and plastron to be expecially soft, softer than I remember (and what is normal for baby box turtles). The other babys' shells are fine. Any ideas? This turtle is not currently eating, by the way (since I got it, as far as I know it was eating for the previous owner). Thanks.

How young as these turtles? Box turtle shell are very soft at first but they usually harden quite a bit by the time they begin to feed.

Some turtles, more common in captive bred ones probably, have metabolic issues with assimulating nutrition from their food intake. It could be this hatchling is one that is destined to fail to thrive. You can try to help it by removing it from the other turtles, giving it it's own space and see if feeding it separately will help. Be sure the UVB light has a strong output, ie, a new bulb. Give it calcium and well as vit D3 suppliments. If the shell does not harden in a month's time with this specail attention-please take it to a vet.

This is a baby from last July/August, but is still pretty small. It doesn't move around a ton, usually just hangs around on top of the moss. It's shell is definately a lot softer than it should be, even for a hatchling.

Have you separated it from the others so you can monitor its eating? Is the UVB bulb new? This turtle needs TLC if it's to thrive. The soft shell sounds abnormal-as you have guessed. Vets can give you a script for a liquid calcium that may be able to help.
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Tess Cook
Box Turtle Care and Conservation Website
www.boxturtlesite.info