Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there. Thanks in advance for your time.

Ok, we've had a RES for 2 1/2 yrs now. Sadly, it took me a while to remember to cut back on protein and introduce more plant material after she matured. We have done that now, but there was/is already pyramiding.

Lately, her scutes have been lifting and I see now that one has finally come off. Although I don't know what "normal" is, it doesn't appear to be grossly abnormal in appearance, but when he basks, we notice that several others are still lifting. I have read every page of posts available here on scutes, and only see that it appears normal that scutes shed in tiny thin layers that are transparent looking.

Our's scutes seem to be lifting much thicker than a "thin transparent layer". Also, I assume pyramiding is the reason that we can see each individual layer on the edges of the scute. The one section where the scute came off appears to be smoother & darker in color w/ little to no edge layers, and is still hard.

Two Q's:

1. How terrible does the condition of our RES's scutes sound?

2. If pyramiding is present b'c of improper diet from the past,, does it eventually repair itself when the diet has been improved? If so, would what I'm describing happen during the repair process?

Just FYI: We do have a UVB bulb (and a sep. heat lamp) that we replace on schedule. The water is maintained around 73°F and the basking area is around 85°F. The diet now consists of Reptomin and Wardley (fortified w/ calcium) sticks, escarole, collard or mustard greens, anachris (about one grouping of stalks per month-maybe every 1 1/2 mos), zucchini, & some (very little) romaine. On rare occasions I have given grapes or other fruit. Alternating, I would say we give the sticks 1-2 times per week, and veggies 1-2. I don't feel we're overfeeding and we don't give in to begging.

Thanks again,
Christi

i would consider abnormal scute shedding one that exposes raw shell or flesh, anything with blood or really soft tissue. yours sounds normal for ending pyramiding. when i cnahged my turtles diets after pyramiding, they went back to normal. as long as there is solid, healthy looking scutes underneath any shed scutes i wouldnt worry. keep an eye on it like you are doing.

i have to ask...which scales are the scutes? and what does this pyramiding look like??

recently my smallish male has had the Middle parts of his upper shell scales, looking like they're sticking out a big more than the lower sections, im finding this hard to explain, if you take just one scale of the turtles shell, this kinda looks like a single scale would off a horsfeilds tortise, you know, kinda sticking uopward, kinda like in the shape of a pyramid

is this what your on about? or it this scale shape normal...he is a florida cooter
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mother to ,1 female great plains rat snake - "rockey". 1 male amel corn - "SN4". 1 female bairds rat snake - "copper". 1 female normal ball - "queenie". Pair albino striped king snakes - "tom and jenny". 1 male normal Cali. king - "wallace". 1 female rock pebbler - "fudge". 2 female roborovski hamsters - "speedy and sprite". 2 Florida Cooters - "tiny and titch". 1 male African Grey Parrot - "george". 4 cockateils, 3F, 1M, - "squeak, arnold, piere, peppy". 1 female german shepard - "roxy",

scutes are the 'scales' on the shell. usually pyramiding is seen over the whole top part of the shell(carapace). it looks like each scute is a little pyramid. most water turtles are supposed to have a very smooth shell for sliding through the water. the ptramiding in my turtles a few years ago was from too much protein from all the goldfish i would throw in there. once i stopped, it stopped and went down to normal as they grew. some people think pyramiding is caused by other things, at least in addition to too much protein. remember that some turtles and tortoises do have natural pyramiding of the, it is just a characteristic of some species. im not familiar with most tortoises, but a red belly slider should have a smooth shell.

Thanks for your reply. I see that a couple more scutes are loosened to where they will probably come off within the next day. I can't say the scute under the lost one is perfectly smooth, but it's a hell of a lot better than what came off.

I have also made a "meet the doctor", well visit with a vet for Friday. If we have 1-3 new scute areas, he should really be able to compare the two and give me ample advice on any wrongs or rights. It'll be nice to finally start a relationship with someone who can help me on the fly if need be, and see if he sees anything that I don't see.

My turtles had a bit of pyramiding, and 3 years later they look much better. Their shells aren't perfect, but they are getting more and more smooth and the split by their tail is going away. Don't expect overnight improvement, but over the next few years with proper diet it does improve.
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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
1 common musk turtle hatchling

Thanks! I appreciate knowing what has happened from someone who knows first hand.

I took her for a well-visit and the vet pretty much said the same thing. He said that her shell would improve, but may always have a slight deformity. He instructed me to check for softness to avoid shell rot in the areas that take longer to dry.