Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I just purchased a 2 in alligator snapping turtle. I know this is the red-eared slider forum, but i have not gotten a response yet in the snapper forum. Here is my question. What causes softshell in turtles, and what can i do to preven this. I can't dust his food, because he only eats in the water. Alligator snappers rarely come out to bask. So, i was thinking of getting a uva/uvb light, and putting him outside for a couple of hours. any suggestions would be great. thanks.

I don't know about snapping turtles, but I know in RES low calcium is it. A cuttle bone for him to gnaw on when he want to would be O.K. I remember someone tellling me every once in a while you can feed on land to sprinkle some calcium on some veggies or what ever your feeding it. I wasn't sure about it since turtles have no saliva, and that's why they need to eat in the water, but I have tries it and it worked 2 out of 3 times. Bye.

How old is the baby? How many inches?

Very young turtles do normally have a flexible shell
especially back by its tail. Get the UVB source and get
him outside but make sure he has plenty of shade to retreat
to prevent overheating. What are you feeding him?

Linda

Thanks for reminding me about that, it must have slipped my mind.