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
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
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
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 23rd, 2018
A better option would be to use the link below to find a veterinarian experienced in treating reptiles. https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661 In the meantime, change out the rocks for something "softer", such as a soil/most mix. Rocks can cause tiny scrapes on the shell which can introduce infection. Use a thermometer in the basking spot to make sure temps don't get too high. A thermometer on the other end would be recommended to make sure temps aren't too low. Offer a commercial pelleted diet along with fresh greens and vegetables.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Food & Nutrition
I have a 2 months old RES Turtle.. Actually i have 2 turtles, of which this is male. He keeps on sleeping and do not ever wakes up until i put him in water. Is it normal? As my other female turltle is super active. She never rests. Now also while i a
Red eared sliders are aquatic turtles. They need to be in water all the time. At that size, water depth should be no deeper than twice the length of the shell. Provide a swim area and a dock easily accessible from the water that they can climb up on. The water should be heated and filtered. Turtles also require a basking light (for heat) as well as UVB lighting. Low temps, ambient and water, can affect appetite and activity in turtles.You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I won a turtle yesterday at a carnival, a red-eared slider, it's very tiny, I'm guessing less than a year old. I set up a tank for it and gave it a few apple dices but it isn't moving, swimming, or eating. What should I do?
Check the water, basking and ambient temperatures. Low temps can affect activity and appetite in reptiles. You may need to add a water heater and heat lamp to get the tank to proper temperature. Squirt will also need UVB lighting. Offer dark, leafy greens instead of fruit. Squirt will also need some animal protein (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc) as well as commercial pellets to balance out the diet. A multivitamin supplement and a calcium supplement are also needed to help him grow. You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
One of my two, three year-old red eared-sliders has become lethargic, not wanting to eat. The turtle sleeps all day and moves very little. Also, its eyes have began to sunk, and every time it is underwater it closes them; they get red a little, as if
If possible, separate them until you get a diagnosis. Get a stool sample from the sick turtle and submit it to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial infection. An exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles is strongly recommended given the marked weight loss and lethargy. Increase water and ambient temperatures by a few degrees to support the sick turtle. Offer a biologically appropriate, species specific diet as well as proper vitamin and mineral supplementation. Check the UVB bulb and replace it of it is older than 6 months old. The symptoms you describe have multiple causes, so it is important to have an exam and testing to reach a diagnosis. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis. Follow the link below for information regarding care and husbandry of red eared sliders. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Hey there, Can u just tell me if anything is wrong with my turtle. My friend too have one red eared slider but his turtle seems really active than mine. I think his turtle is a bit older than mine.
Thanks for reaching out about Leonardo and including photos. By the pictures there is no noticable nasal discharge, eyes are clean and appears alert. No lesions are noted on the shell. Check water parameters for quality (pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates) and temperature. If your turtle is cold, in and out of the water, he will be less active. Diet should consist of pellets, fresh vegetables and some insects. Insects need to be gut loaded. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVB) is a must. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
hi, my pet turtle is about 2 inches in size. it is a red eared slider. it is inactive since 3 days. it always stays on stone closing its eyes, even if i disturb it.it is struggling to open eyes.please help me by suggesting any medicine to make it ac
Check the water temperature and ambient temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and activity in reptiles. Keep the water between 24 C and 30 C. A basking spot out of the water should be 29 C to 31 C. UVB lighting should also be provided. Maintain water quality to prevent infections and feed an appropriate diet with vitamin and mineral supplementation. A vitamin A deficiency can cause swelling of the eyes. Repti-Turtle Eye Drops (by Zoo Med) can be used to help the eyes. Find it online or in the local pet store. Soak the little guy in a 50/50 mix of warm water and an electrolyte replacement beverage to maintain hydration. You can read more about care here: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have an aquatic red ear slider turtle. He is very lethargic and his legs are swollen. He hasn't been eating. What should I do?
The swollen legs and poor shell condition may be due to poor husbandry (diet and environment). Confirm proper environmental parameters, especially temperature. Low temps can affect appetite in reptiles. The stress of being in low temps can lead to illness or infection. A poor diet, especially one low in calcium, can lead to poor shell condition and MBD ( metabolic bone disease). This may account for the swollen legs. Ideally, Dave should be physically examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. Supportive care and calcium supplementation may be indicated to get him on the road to recovery. In the meantime, maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water. Provide a balanced diet including protein (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc.) fresh greens and vegetables and commercial pellets. Provide a multivitamin and a calcium supplement along with adequate unfilterer sunlight or UVB lighting. You can review slider care at the links below
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Just today, I found my baby Red Eared Slider sitting on top of the platform with his eyes closed. I patted his head (which he usually enjoyed), but he was unresponsive. He used to be very active. I feed him a mixture of pellets, shrimp, and mealworms
Juvenile turtles require warmer temperatures. Increase the water temperature to between 82F and 85F. The basking area should be around 85-88F. Make sure you have a UVB light source as well that is not blocked by plastic or glass. Feed juveniles 2-3 times daily. To keep the water cleaner, feed in a separate tank or bowl and return him to the main tank when he is done. The temp increase may be enough to perk him up again. If not, have him examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to diagnose illness or injury. Sustained low temps can predispose him to respiratory infection or other illnesses. Follow this link for more information regarding care and feeding of RES: http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, my tortoise (small one) has black dots since I bought it and today, I noticed the black dots are expanding. He didn't eat anything himself except when I fed him with a stick. He also didn't move and sleep for 23 hours a day. What should i do?
You have a slider, which is a semi aquatic species of turtle. Tortoises live on land exclusively. The black spots may be some algae growing or it could be early rot (infection). Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Use a soft bristled toothbrush to gently clean the shell. If the spots persist, use a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution along with the brush. Scrub once daily and allow for a 1 hour dry dock (out of the water) after each cleaning. Promote shell and overall health by providing UVB lighting, vitamin and mineral supplementation, a balanced diet and appropriate heat support. You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Red-Eared-Slider-Care-Sheet/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I believe my red eared slider turtle is sick. She normally is active but has been staying in one spot for the past couple of days. She has still been eating though, What should I do??
Sorry to hear about Pokey! I would certainly be concerned about her as lethargy in an otherwise active turtle could certainly be a sign of disease. Firstly, I would have a really good look at her and see if there are any other signs such as damage to her shell, rapid breathing etc. If you notice anything I would go to a herp vet asap. If she seems fine aside from being lerhargic, and is continuing to eat well my first step would be to look at the housing. Make sure her water is clean and filters are working well. Secondly you can increase the temperature of the air and water by a few degrees as she may be lethargic due to being too cold. If this does not help go to the reptile vet. Consider your general husbandary, does she get UVA and UVB? Calcium, temperature regulation, water quality etc? Hopefully she will respond well to a slight increase in temperature though. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I got this turtle from this lady they didn’t know nothing about turtles and I think it’s a fungal infection it’s all white and the nutrition was very bad they only gave him one pellet a day he’s a year old and It’s very small what can I do for it’s
Maintain pristine water quality and proper water temperature. Provide a basking area with a heat lamp and unfiltered UVB lighting. Feed a balanced diet including prey (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc), fresh greens and vegetables and commercial pellets. Provide a multivitamin and calcium supplement in powdered forms. These can be sprinkled on the food. Bits of raw beef heart can be used to stimulate the appetite. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) to cleanse the shell daily. Allow for a 1 hour dry dock (keep him out of the water) after each cleaning. Ideally, he should be examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles to confirm the infection and to administer medication if indicated.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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