Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I purchased a pair of 2005 CB hatchlings and am seeing some "belling" of the rear of the carapace of one of them. These are siblings and if it were a protein issue, I can’t understand why one is affected and not the other. Both are on a diet of Reptomin and Aquamax (Purina) Trout Chow. I’ve raised other NA Woods (hatchlings and juveniles) on this same diet and have never seen this problem before. The protein level for these two pellet foods is between 40 & 45%. I’ve started both on Rep-Cal’s Aquatic Turtle Food a couple of weeks ago as its protein level is 33% but have seen no signs of improvement over this admittedly short span of time. Anyone here dealt with this problem successfully and, if so, how did you solve it? Thanks …

I should have mentioned that this "belling" is a recent event and has occurred over the last eight weeks. Thanks

Does one spend more time out of the water than the other? Do you have hiding spots (artificial plants) in the water?

Katrina
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1.2 Eastern Muds - Fred, Ethel, Edith
0.1 Iguana - Tiffel
0.1 Bearded Dragon - Foster
Foster turtles: More than I'd like the husband to know about.

I really haven't seen any differences between the two outside of the carapace belling. The one displaying the belling is a bit larger than the other. They are kept separately in a 50-50 (water-land) habitat. I'm starting to believe this may be normal, first-year development. Anyone?