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Dark Spots on Plastron

PostPosted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 10:38 pm
by twinkie
I need opinions, my southern painted is about 6 months old. I had two of them, one of them died unexpectedly 2 days ago. I noticed dark spots on the other one's underbelly. I just want to know if this is normal or should I take it to the vet.

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Re: Dark Spots on Plastron

PostPosted: Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:14 pm
by steve
Sorry to hear you lost one. I am by no means experienced with southern painteds, but it looks OK (though the picture is a bit small). If there is any change, then yes a vet visit would be a good idea especially when considering recent events.

Re: Dark Spots on Plastron

PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:37 am
by unclejoe
So sorry to hear you lost a turtle. I also have a painted but mine is a midland painted. I am surprised but it appears like both of our turtles are around the same size. I thought the Southerns were a tad bit smaller.. Maybe you have a female there.. I do suspect females must grow faster to reach their mature size for mating.

Phil is our first pet turtle so I don't know about the spot. I was thinking though, since you don't know why your other one died, have you changed out the water in this little ones tank? I think I would clean the whole tank out.. Even any ornaments or rocks you have.. Just to cut down on any bacteria or virus the other one might have had.. Just scrub everything off with hot chlorinated water if you have city water... I would just do it as a precaution.

I would love to see a top picture of him. Those patches do appear to be suspicious of a sort. Phil has a different tummy but his yellow or cream part does not have any deeper color or patches. Is his shell soft at all? Has he/she done any shedding yet?

Phils tummy.. I know its different then yours, because of his markings.. but now looking at it, it does have some deeper darker patterning on there.. I haven't noticed it till I looked closely at this pic..lol He is completely dry in this pic. I don't know if they would look darker wet..

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Re: Dark Spots on Plastron

PostPosted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 8:18 am
by unclejoe
I googled imaged Southern painted Turtle Plastrons and it appears that its common for them to have markings similar to yours. Check it out for yourself and see what you think..

https://www.google.com/search?q=Plastro ... BygC&dpr=1