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Ok, So I was cleaning my baby RES today because she has had some white build up around one side and the back of her shell. I figured it was just mineral deposits or what not, but I am not sure!!! I could not get it off, and I put a finger on the back of her shell where a good amount of it is, and her shell was SUPER soft! I could move it very easily by the white spot in the rear. The side of her shell that also has the white spot isnt nearly as soft as her back, and really doesn't move, although there is much less white residue there. PLEASE let me know what this white build up is, and if ALL baby RES have a soft shell by the tail. Heres a picture of Estelle. Also I am using a light similar to this (petsmart one, but HAD a picture of a turtle on the box!)


Heres a shot of her...



THANK YOU!!!

that picture did not work so please visit this link.
THANK YOU.

http://picasaweb.google.com/seanmauceri ... 9963447490

Also I will note, she is in perfect health other wise and is eating like an american!

Hard to say what it is, is it completely dry in that pic?

The entire shell looks like it has a film on it... do the really white spots have any odor to them?
Have you tested your water?

How big is she? In other words, what length is her shell from front to back, not counting the curve in the shell?

Hey Thanks for all the replies!
Her shell is appx one inch, maybe 1.25.
She was almost completely dry, maybe out of the water for 10-15 minutes.
No I have not tested the water.
My current set up is just tap water in a tank with a filter...so special water treatment yet. : /
But what do you guys think of that lamp? I mean she definitely basks a good amount.
Thank you so so so so much.

From a worried RES owner...

Turtles as small as yours typically have somewhat flexible shells. Their shells are more flexible at the back near their tails. As they grow over their first year, their shells harden until by a year of age they should be completely hard.

Probably the flex in your turtle's shell is normal. However, it's hard to judge since we aren't actually there to feel it. If her shell is too soft it could be because she's not getting enough calcium in her diet or the UVB he's exposed to isn't sufficient to enable him to metabolize the calcium she eats.

That brings us to the UVB bulb. If your bulb is exactly like that one it's a good brand but it isn't strong enough. The one you should have is the 5.0 26 watt Repti Glo. There's a 13 watt version of the 5.0 but it isn't strong enough either. Also, the 10.0 may be too strong. Make sure the bulb is positioned the distance from the turtle as recommended by the manufacturer's directions. If it's too far away, it won't be effective, and if it's too close it can irritate her eyes.

The white on the shell looks to me like it might be fungus. Usually fungus developes when the turtle doesn't bask enough or the water quality is poor. If she basks a lot, then that's a good thing but you should check the water quality. You can get kits at the pet store (fish section) for testing. A good kit is the Master Freshwater Test Kit by Aquarium Pharmeceuticals. It contains all the basic tests with good instructions on how to do the tests and interpret the results. There's plenty of solution for testing dozens and dozens of times, so it will last a long time.

If the white is fungus, then it can be cured with lots of basking under good quality UVB light, lots of clean water, good diet with plenty of cuttlebone, and treatment for a couple of weeks with silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene or SSD cream). A vet prescription is required for silver sulfadiazine.