Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a 5 inch painted turtle (I got him ~1 month ago). The back of his shell(the edge by his tail) is growing (curving) upwards. I don't think his shell is doming though? Any suggestions to why this might be? Otherwise he is eating great! Thanks, Amy

Is the shell soft? If so and you only had him a month it sounds like a calcium deficiency. Or it may be due to lack of providing proper out of water basking areas and good lighting. Supplement him with some fish food flakes mixed with calcium powder (RepCal) or crickets dusted in the same. Also make sure he has a good basking area with plenty of heat and light.

Thanks...will try!
No his shell is not soft. He has a 40 gallon tank, filled a third of the way up with basking temps around 85 degrees. He does have areas where he can completely come out of the water. I also read this problem may be caused by feeding him too many pellets...so I am feeding him more live foods every other day and feeding him his pellets once a week. Does this sound good? I also have a cuttle bone for him to chew on...and he does every once in a while! Thanks, Amy

I feed my turtles mostly pelleted foods in the winter months, Reptomin has calcium and Vit C in it so I use that primarily. Sounds like the environment is right, how is your water quality? Painteds will eat some plants also so its not a bad idea to put a few live ones in the tank as long as you don't mind replacing them every so often. It helps with the water quality also.

My thoughts exactly! He won't eat any greens I offer him, but I still try! I bought some water plants this weekend, so hopefully he'll enjoy those! I feed reptimin pellets also...he loves them! But I've don't feed them nearly as often as I used to! Thanks, Amy