Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, I think that our turtle's shell has gradually grown rougher and each "section" (is that called a scute?) is more pronounced than the "line or separation or connecting area".

Am I making sense. I hope you can understand...... each section seems to stand out separately.

He also has a slight bumpy ridge down the center of his back.

I caught one message here that the shell should be smooth and this is a sign of too much protein. I have to admit that we didn't change his diet much since we first got him, so he is still mainly on chicken. Once in a while we do buy him an Anachris plant and give the dark parts of Romaine lettuce.

Is it safe to say that it's time to increase the veggies and watch them slowly soften up.

Is it true that the shell should be relatively smooth?

Thanks yet again,
Christi

He shouldnt be eating chicken at all. It is basically just protein with no calcium or other vitamins that he needs. His diet should consist mainly of greens, with protein only a few times a week, and it should be commercial turtle pellets not meat.
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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 1999
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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sig file edited 1/29/05 [phw]

That is very contrary to what I learned when I first came here. It was always said that LEAN cooked chicken was best and to only give the turtle pellets sometimes in between. He does still get his share of pellets, although I do need to incorporate more greens.

Thanks for replying

There are a variety of things you can feed to your turtle. You ar correct in saying the ridge on his shell, commonly referred to as pyramiding is a result of too much protien. I have heard of cooked lean chicken being food for other reptiles (my BTS loves it) but have never personally heard of it for turtles.

There are plenty of other ways to get him protein: Crickets, worms, turtle pellets, beefheart, frozen brine shrimp cubes, frozen silver sides all make good additions to the diet.

As far as veggies: Collard, mustard, and dandelion greens are excellent!
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0.1 Bearded dragon
0.1 mexican kingsnake
1.0.2 Leopard Gecko's
0.0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
1.0 BTS
0.0.1 Reverse Okeetee Corn
0.1 Bullmastiff
4.1 Cats

Lean chicken given once in a while won't hurt anything but as dsngirl said -- it all protein and not much else. Your turtle need calcium and the benefits of a diet with mainly greens in it.
Earthworms are good source of protien and can provide some calcium. You feed cuttlebone and also give pelleted food as well.

Does you turtle have a source of UVB lighting? This is also imperative for proper shell developement.

Gradually try to get him interested in eating chicory, escarole, dandelion greens or aquatic plants like Java fern, anacharis, water lettuce or water hyacinth.

Steve

Hi Steve,

I did mention that we have a UVB bulb (not out of date) and a heat lamp over the basking area, and we do put anachris and Romaine in at times. I just have no idea if it was in this post or many other posts

I will introduce more greens now that he is older. I think the protein and chicken thing came in b'c he was so young (May 2003)when I first got info on his diet. Now that he's 2 I need to introduce more greens. We have just moved to NY from GA and I had never seen Dandelion greens, but now that you mention it, I remember seeing them at a grocery store here, and wondered how ppl prepare them. I will grab some of those as well as others.

Thanks a lot for answering.

~Christi

Dandelion greens are great to eat. (for us too).

You feed em fresh to the turtles of course but if you want to know a good way to have them other than in a salad. Just put some olive oil and garlic in a pan an sautee them. If you are not a vegetarian you can always add alittle chopped pepperoni or even salami to it. It really tastes good that way or just plain sauteed in garlic and oil with a little crushed red or black pepper over the top.

Now you and your turtle can enjoy dandelions.

Hi Honuman,

Thanks a bunch for the extra info on this. I was at the store today and bought Collards and Escarole. I almost grabbed the Dandelion greens, but opted to wait since they are so new to me.

Now with your suggestions, I will buy them next time I go. I do eat a lot of salads w/ Romaine, so I'm sure they will be a nice mix as well as cooking and trying. I'm sure I can find other recipes as well, on top of making Tarzan happy. He is already enjoying the greens I bought today.

Thanks again, and have a great weekend!
Christi