Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Finaly i got a UVB florescent light for the turtles yesterday. I been running the UVA bulb for about 5 days. One turtle is eating like a pig while the other only goes for worms. what to do?

Their shells get deformed from being overfed, feed them less and you will stop the deformity from getting worse, but it will never go away.
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Also, I thought the shell deformity was fron no calcium, and also 1 of my RES always hides under a rock, he never does anything else.

Lack of calcium will make his shell soft. A good rule of thumb is to feed them an amount equal to the size of their heads, once a day if they are under 2 inches, and every other day if they are larger. Veggies or aquatic plants should be available at all times.
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Also are baby turtles omnivores?

Yes, they are omnivorous. Hatchling RES have slightly soft flexible shells, but after a few weeks of age their shells should be hard, you shouldn't be able to press down on them at all.
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A turtle`s shell doesn`t fully harden until about a year of age. They are more carnivorous when young and become more omnivorous as they age. Plant matter should be provided early on for variety (some do eat it when really young, mine did).

There is a relationship between diet (too much protein/overfeeding)/calcium/Vit. D3 and a balance has to be maintained between the three (maybe someone else can explain in more detail). Overfeeding, especially high protein foods causes too fast a growth. High protein diets (animal matter) are high in phorphorus, which if excessive inhibits calcium absorption. Not enough Vit. D3 will also prevent calcium absorption.

For the pellets, up to a year, feed once daily an amount that would fit into the head, not including the neck. After a year, every other day. Plant matter--aquarium plants and veggies, especially leafy greens (excluding iceberg lettuce, spinach, broccoli and cabbage)-- can be given freely. Provide pieces of cuttlebone for added calcium.

Cut down on the feeding, cut down on the high protein foods, increase the calcium in the diet and make sure your turtle is basking under a UVB light and heat source (temp. 85-90 F.) for Vit. D3.