Reptile & Amphibian Forums

taken yesterday, after several months on high veggie/fruit and (as far as I know) high calcium dog food (recommended by Jim Harding - yes, I know many of you do not agree with him)

I've been told that once on a poor growth trajectory, they often stay that way.

Here it (she?) is:

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Least favorite quotation: "These foul and loathesome animals are abhorrant because of their cold body, pale color, cartilaginous skeleton, filthy skin, fierce aspect, calculating eye, offensive smell, harsh voice, squalid habitation, and terrible venom; and so their Creator has not exerted his powers to make many of them." - Carolus Linnaeus

0.0.1 Three-toed Box Turtle
0.0.1 Green Frog tadpole

That is the strangest looking shell, and yes looks likely a she. If I remember right this is the turtle that was raised in a pan of water basically. I would splurge at least for Reptomin or Wardleys turtle food as a substitute for the dog food, even thought the diet you're offering with the friuts and veggies in as well is an improvement over previously. I would also get that turtle on some rich black loamy dirt substrate and morning sunshine, will dramatically improve the look of the shell and skin. There are a lot of minerals and oils in dirt that will benefit that pale shell and skin, I would be willing to bet the transformation of the looks of that turtle would be dramatic with one season with deep rich black dirt substrate and morning sun.
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Jeff Benfer
gartersnakemorph.com

I agree! She needs some help quick! I would get some veggies high in calcium and high in vit A in her, and get her in some morning sun, like Jeff said. There's still hope. Even though her growth may not be able to be corrected, because it does look like she has symptoms of MBD, her color and health can improve.

I put her up for adoption. I live in a mobile home park, and can't keep her outside because of the neighborhood kids. She went to live with an adoption service associated with the Michigan Society of Herpetologists. Nice lady took her. She seems to love box and other turtles. Has a bunch of Three-toeds already.
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Least favorite quotation: "These foul and loathesome animals are abhorrant because of their cold body, pale color, cartilaginous skeleton, filthy skin, fierce aspect, calculating eye, offensive smell, harsh voice, squalid habitation, and terrible venom; and so their Creator has not exerted his powers to make many of them." - Carolus Linnaeus

0.0.1 Three-toed Box Turtle
0.0.1 Green Frog tadpole