snapping turtle shell

by thomas
(north east)

why isnt my snapping turtles shell getting hard.

Comments for snapping turtle shell

Apr 19, 2011

Snapping Turtle Shell
by: Shelly

Shells don't get hard, they start hard. They are part of the skeleton.

Shells do get soft if the turtle doesn't metabolize enough calcium. There are two ways to deal with the lack of calcium.

First, you have to provide calcium in the diet. A cuttle bone or a dusting of calcium powder on the food will help.

Just as important is a UVB light. Without this light, the turtle cannot metabolize the calcium no matter how much calcium it takes in.

If the shell is very soft, you should probably see a vet in case things have gotten so bad that there are other problems starting.

Keep it slow and steady.

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