Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got an 8 month old RES. He's active and doesn't act like anything is wrong, but I'm seeing some shiny spots on his shell. What is this? Is he shedding? Its hard to explain, it looks almost as if someone placed transparent foil bits on parts of his shell....whats goin on with my baby??!!!
Any help would be greatly appreciated, or a point in a direction to find some help too. I can try to take pictures, but we don't usually take him out of his tank and its hard to get the picture to show up with the problem...

Sounds like he is sheding to me. Mine sheded some of it's shell recently.

The pieces came off looking like clear plastic. The description you gave matches it.

I helped my turtle shed by pealing the loose parts off. But don't force it off.

thank God, thats what I was hoping it was. I realized later that when he pops to the surface that you can't see anything, but I wanted to make sure. Thanks for the response!!!

Air gets trapped under the loose scuts and makes their shell shiney. It is normal. I have never helped the scuts come off, they come off when they are ready.
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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]

Yep, sounds like molting to me, sometimes it takes a couple to 5 months for complete molting with my turtles. It should look how you describe. I would not try to help the turtle molt at all. You risk infection. The pieces will fall off on their own, especially if there is another turtle with it. Also it does no harm to the turtle by keeping it on. You may notice algae growth under the shell, that will be totally normal also. No worries as long as he is acting healthy and you dont see actual decay or rotting. Happy herping!

Jeff
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Jeff M.
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2.4 w.hogs
2.5 albino RES
2.4 spotted turtles
--->2.7 albino mice feeder breeding colony

ah, thats so good to hear...I'm glad he's ok. I feed him well and change his tank often, there are two super powerful filters in there as well, so I was like, where did I go wrong?!
I wasn't planning on helping with the molting, turtles have been doing that for thousands of years, they don't need my help!!

Thanks again people I appreciated it!

Greetings,

Just wandering, does he seem to basket more than normal.

My RES, is doing the same thing, however, he seems to basket all the time, day or night, lights on or off. He tends to dry out, almost to the point where he looks dead. He worries me so.

-Ravon

no, he's not basking more than usual. He's acting exactly the same as usual, he's just got the shiny spots!

That doesnt really sound too good.
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Keith

1 Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Kaiya)
1 RES (King Koopa aka Bowser)
1 Betta (Garcia)
1 Fiance' (Lacy - Requires more work and attention then any animal. Not Recommended......j/k)

Unearthly Productions
http:www.unearthlyproductions.com
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