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Is white skin on my red-eared slider's head when dry normal?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

There's that white dead skin on my red eared sliders head whenever he's dry. Should I be worried?

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1 Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on April 13th, 2019

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.

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