Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got a new baby red belly had him a couple months now and i have a few questions.First off i have noticed that his scutes seem to be shedding. I also have a yearling res and i dont recall ever seeing him shed. Also on the babby between two of his rear scutes looks like little bubbles i was wondering if this is shellrot or if he is just shedding.

Also, i need some ideas on giving him protein because he ( the baby red) refuses everything but greens... which is why i dont think i over feed him because that is all he will eat, and i am told they can have greens everyday.

And just one more thing, when he swims (well floats) at the top of the water it looks like he is lop sided, like one side is weighed down more, just wondering if this is normal...I dont remember my res doing any of this...they doo live together and they are great together. The res seems to be happier now that he has a friend!

Most important: Swimming lopsided is a sign of a serious upper respritory infection.

They do shed their scutes from time to time, and water can get under the loose scutes, so his shell is probably fine.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 2001
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

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edited signature file; oversized graphic [phw 12/13/04]

how does a turtle get an upper respritory infection? The water is around 82-85 degrees. I have snakes and i know that they get these infections from being to sold( to say in short), is it the same with turtles? If it is how do you get rid of it... he eats fine except for the fact that all he eats is greens.

the best thing to do for a turtle whenever it has a respiratory infection is to get it to a herp vet ASAP! until then, keep the water temp ups to help him fight off the sickness... i dont know why turtles get these, but i have heard A LOT Of instances where they have had them... so it must be a pretty common thing. but just because it's common doesnt mean its not fatal because if untreated, the URI can definitely be fatal to your little turtle! please, get it to a vet!
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~ Evie

Pets:
RIP 0.1.0 German Shepherd {Dusty}
0.1.0 German Shepherd/Collie mix {Shadoe}
0.0.2 RES turtles {Booger & Snot}
1.0.0 African Clawed Frog {Bingo}
0.0.2 Snail {Gary & Larry}

What are the URI symptoms?

Some signs include wheezing, swollen eyes, excessive basking, loss of activeness. There are probably more symptoms but these are the ones I am aware of. A vet is a good idea just to get your little guy a check up and it's better to be safe than sorry. I hope everything works out well with him.

Thank you, he doesn't do any of that, he is very active, eats great basks and swims, i dont think that he has anything really wrong. The only thing is when he is close to the surface he looke lop sided but when he is under the water he swims fine... im so confused.

If you can just schedule a basic checkup to ensure the health of your res. An upper respitory infection is fatal and the earlier it is caught the better chance your little guy has.

Oh i will. I just have to find one the vets around me know nothing about reptiles...