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Why is my turtle not moving and its shell is soft around the edges?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My turtle isnt moving much its about 3 inches and the shell is extremely soft around the edges i i believe shes sick nd or dying

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on February 18th, 2018

Check the water, ambient and basking spot temperatures. Low temps can affect activity in reptiles. Ideally, the turtle should be in a 10 gallon tank. Water depth should be no more than twice the shell length. Use a filter to maintain water quality and a small heater to keep it between 82F and 85F. There should also be a basking area easily reached out of the water that should range between 85F and 88F. A UVB light source, proper diet and calcium and vitamin supplementation will promote shell health. If all this is provided and the turtle is still lethargic, consider a physical exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can find one at the link below. The second link will provide more information regarding the care of sliders. http://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661 http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

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