Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone. My baby RES, Crumpet, who I bought in Chinatown on Sept. 6, has these marks on two of the back scutes on his plastron which I'm curious about. They're sort of dark grey, blending into the green of the rest of the shell at the top, and they don't cover the whole of the scutes, just the upper portion. He's had them since I bought him, and about 2-3 weeks ago they seemed to be getting a little bigger and lighter, so I would take him out of his main tank, dry him off, put some Neosporin on them, and then let him chill in a Tupperware container (w/lights on him) for about an hour, hour and a half, tops. Then, once he had dried and I felt like the medicine had a chance to sit, I'd put him back in his tank. I wasn't able to do this every night (college schedule) but on average I've been doing this about 4 times a week for the past couple of weeks. The gray spots are shrinking now and I think his shell's looking better in general.
My question, then, essentially, is, what is this? I've done a bit of research and I don't think that these two spots are shell rot, or fungus. They're not white or cottony and they don't smell bad. His shell's not especially soft, either. He's on a good diet - Reptomin, Reptotreat, krill, apples, carrots, and the occasional beef. (I tried tomatoes the other night, but those didn't go over so well). He gets his vitamins, is in a new!!! 10 gallon tank which is kept at about 80 degrees and is cleaned by a Fluval submersible. He's got lights and rocks. He's generally active, a good swimmer and eater, and is my pride and joy. I just do wonder what these spots may be. They don't seem to hurt him, but I've never seen anything like them on other turtle sites or in books. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe his shell was damaged when he was a really little baby and maybe those spots are the result, but I really have no clue. At this point, honestly, I'm not deathly afraid because he seems fine in all other respects. I'd just love it if anyone knows what they may be. I appreciate any and all help,
~Amanda
P.S. Sorry, but I don't have pictures. The ones I do have are taken on a manual old camera for a photo class and I don't have a scanner. Anyway, they wouldn't be of any help, being mostly arty shots of him swimming.

I can't give you a direct answer but I'll make some comments:

-80 degrees might be too hot for him. Maybe change it down to 75-78F

-A 10 Gallon tank will be okay for now but the bare minimum should be a 20 gallon tank.. preferably the long one (which one might be a 29 gallon tank)

-Your disturbing your turlte when you don't even know the problem. Do more research before you come to conclusions - I suppose the step of asking on this board is a good one. But really stop what your doing.

-When I say stop, I mean taking him out and puting neosporin on the shell. Really now, is the shell of a turtle even effected by such medicine. I've heard of people puting medicine on the turtles skin but thats because the skin can bleed and tear. A shell I doubt is effected by something like neosporin. Well at least you didn't put any Turtle Car Wax on him

-Some reasons to stop is that this thing your talking about might be perfectly normal. Turtles shell is obviously not simply green like in cartoons. My turtles have black patterns all over their shells. Without a picture I can't really tell.. can you explain it more in detail? Exactly what are you worried about... is the shell dented in that area.. I don't want to go and ask if its softer there because you might take out the turtle, wax him with neosporin, and poke the hell out of him. But just observe... remember if you press on the shell it will not be good for him, especially when hes young and the shell is naturally softer.

-So yea I can't give many suggestions except to stop what your doing. Turtles should be left alone and not touched unless it is absolutely necessary. You cause him great stress by doing these procedures when you don't even know why your doing it. So just my 2 cents, sorry if I was a bit rude

long one (which one might be a 29 gallon tank): no a 29 is also called a "thirty tall" a twenty long actually holds as much as a twenty tall...but this is irrlevant the turtle will need a MUCH bigger tank in less thna ayear.

neosporin can help, the shell is living tissue, but the gel/creamy nature doesn't allow air to be exposed to the shell so in general ointments like this actually SLOW healing of shell problems and they are rarely recommended anymore.

If you are at any college, there should be access to a scanner for student use somewhere...library or computer resource center (where do they students print their papers?....that place usually has a scanner if you ask)
i wouldn't be overly concerned about the spots on the shell if they are not soft, or flaky but still a pic would be good.
i'would be more concerend about his diet.

I'd try to get some more variety (its good he eats carrots and apples) but try more things and avoid the shrimp treat stuff as much as possible.

What is wrong with the shrimp treats?

high sodium content and really they have little which is of significant nutritional value.

Fusiongt -
Thanks for your input.
P.S. Yes, you are INCREDIBLY rude! Have a lovely day!

I agree with the others, ir just sounds like maybe he is shedding? Also, mine sometimes get marks from rubbing against things. (They like to swim around and around the filter intake)
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