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My 2.25" RES has a small hole on the middle of the plastron. Firs, it was covered by a white patch I rubbed off a little and found a small hole. He basks fine, eats ok. He is in a 29 gallon tank with 2 rosy reds. Diet: Reptomin as staple and some carrots 2X a week. He is also shedding skin as well as scutes.I want to know if this is normal? It looks like the spot where they have their "umbilical cord" where they attach from the yolk sac. I dunno, please help.

They do shed skin as they grow, normally it's seen in the water but not really out of it and the shedding is not excessive or prolonged.

His shell length without the curve is a little over two inches? Your turtle's size and position of the hole don't sound like the hole has anything to do with then egg sac. How long has he had it? Did he have anything wrong with the plastron when you got him?

How deep the the hole go? Is the area around it soft at all? Is there any odor? Any fluid leaking out? Can you post a pic? The white could have been the shell's attempt to heal...

I'd keep the water really clean, make sure he's able to bask and take him to a herp vet to determine what the cause is and to get treatment.

The hole is appr. 2 mm x 2 mm and about 2 mm deep. No odor, no softness around the area and no fluid leaking out. Water is very clean. I bought him from the store Oct 2004 and he had a little bit of white stuff on the area. He basks well about 3-5 hrs a day - UVB and heatlamp @ 95 degrees F. The water temp is about 73-75 degrees F. Attached is a picture.

I don't see any picture attached...