Soft shell with a shell that is gradually getting lighter

by Will
(Cincinnati Ohio)

soft shell turtle changes

Hello, I have a soft shell turtle and I am afraid he may have shell rot. For the past couple weeks his shell has been gradually getting lighter. It started around the circumference of the shell and is moving inward. There are no pits or wounds on his shell. The dark pattern on his back is still visible but its just lighter. Is this a normal change for a soft shell turtle or would you expect this to be an infection of some kind? Any help is appreciated. Thanks

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Nov 14, 2014

Camouflage?
by: Anonymous

You've got a very light substrate/bottom in the tank, and I suspect that your turtle is changing color to match it. Juvenile softshells camouflage into their surroundings. Mine went super beige/pale when I had light-colored sand in her tank. I changed to a redder sand, and she darkened again.

Shell rot will come in patches, about the size of a Q-tip/earbud head, and be white, flaky. If it's bad, it will get pink, and smell horrible.

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