Is my red eared slider turtle rubbing its shell and digging normally?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Is it normal for my red eared slider turtle to rub it's shell against a rock, it also seems to want to dig or push, are those things normal ?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 13th, 2016
The rubbing is done to aid in shedding scutes. The digging and pushing may also be attempts to aid shedding. Inspect the shell for soft spots, pitting or fungus. Confirm proper environmental conditions (water quality/temp, ambient/basking temps, dry dock, UVB lighting) as well as proper nutrition.
22Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 1st, 2020
The shells look normal in the images provide. Continue to maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Provide a balanced diet and adequate UVB lighting to promote shell health. You can review slider care at the links below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/ http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
There's that white dead skin on my red eared sliders head whenever he's dry. Should I be worried?
This is no cause for concern at the moment. Turtles will routinely shed scutes (parts of the shell) as well as skin. Monitor for redness, lethargy, bleeding or any discharge. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your vet or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Many infections can be prevented by simply providing a clean tank.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
I “adopted “ a RES. He is about 16-17 years old. Recently he developed shell rot, but I noticed his skin is like peeling. Is this part of the shell rot?
The skin will peel as a normal part of shedding, but he may have a concurrent skin infection if there is shell rot. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Provide ample unfiltered UVB lighting as well as a heat lamp and dry basking area. A balanced diet along with vitamin and mineral supplementation is also recommended. You can use a soft bristled toothbrush and diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) to gently clean the shell once or twice daily. Allow for a 1-2 hour dry dock after each cleaning. He may need to be physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to definitively diagnose infection. Antibiotics can be dispensed if indicated. You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
These are my turtles , are they growing and shedding shell or do they have some disease which is causing these marks and spots.?
The shells look normal in the images provide. Continue to maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Provide a balanced diet and adequate UVB lighting to promote shell health. You can review slider care at the links below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/ http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My red ear slider’s shell looks like it is deteriorating as i can see layers and it has a gray tint. The side is also losing the red color. My RES is around 10-11 What should I do?
She could be shedding scutes, which is normal or she may have an infection. You can monitor her for resolution or worsening of symptoms. If necessary, maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. You can clean affected areas using a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution and a soft bristled toothbrush. Allow for a one hour dry dock (out of the water) after each cleaning. Provide a balanced diet, UVB lighting and vitamin/mineral supplementation to promote shell health. Review slider care at the links below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/ http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My red eared slider has white patches on their shell and I'm not sure if it's she'll rot or shedding, how do I tell the difference?
Thanks for reaching out about Tibby. Shedding is usually the entire scute not a small piece. Can you scratch the area off with a fingernail, to determine if a mineral deposit on the shell. If not, a veterinary visit is recommended for treatment of possible bacterial/fungal infection. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My red eared slider turtle having 3 inch size, keep burying in sand for several days. Is this normal??
This is not normal, as turtles are air breathers. Hiding under the substrate could be due to fear or if getting too cold. As stated prior, husbandry changes should be made in an attempt to provide better husbandry, a haul out site that is warm. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello good evening /day i have a question regarding my RES, it seems it has retained scutes and I'm not sure How to help ;it's Pleurals is also wavyish so I'm not sure if it's normal or if something wrong; I am also concerned about that and also i
Retained scutes may be caused by poor husbandry. Confirm adequate water quality, temperatures, UVB lighting and nutrition. Make sure the basking area is completely out of the water. Add foods high in vitamin E and calcium to promote shell health. Limit protein as this can cause rapid growth and lead to pyramiding. Monitor for signs of infection such as soft or pitted areas on the shell, fungal/bacterial growth, bleeding or lethargy. The following link will provide more information regarding care and husbandry of sliders. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our red eared slider Turtle has developed some white patches on his upper shell. He seems fine otherwise but the spots are slowly spreading. He gets natural sunlight outside 5 days a week but we are worried this may not be enough. A few pieces of his
You can use a UVB bulb indoors to supplement lighting. Be sure it is no more than 14-16 inches away from the surface of the basking spot and not blocked by glass or plexiglass. A multivitamin and a calcium/D3 supplement should also be used. Float a cuttlebone in the tank. Bongo will munch on it when needed. You can use a soft bristled brush and diluted betadine to gently scrub the affected areas. Dry dock (keep out of the water) him for about 1-2 hours after cleaning daily. If the spots do not resolve, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating turtles. Read more about slider care here: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My turtle shell has some brown spots and some of he corners of his scutes are brown and peeling. His lines on his shell are also brown. He does have a uvb and heat lamp.
The peeling scutes may be normal shedding. Do not attempt to remove them yourself. Maintain pristine water quality. You can use a soft bristled tooth brush and a diluted Betadine solution to gently scrub the shell or affected areas. Allow for a 1 hour dry dock (out of the water) after each cleaning. If the UVB bulb has been in use longer than 6 months, replace it. Make sure it is not blocked by fine mesh, glass or plexiglass. Provide a balanced diet including prey, fresh greens and vegetables and a commercial pelleted diet. Dust food and prey with both a multivitamin and a calcium supplement regularly.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My baby RES just finished shedding yesterday and today I noticed little black dots all around his shell. They're not soft at all
He looks great! Those spots are normal. You can see how consistent they are around his shell. Monitor him and water quality. Shell rot will appear as pitting, discoloration or very soft shell condition.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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