Why is my turtle scratching its neck and trying to bite her arms?
Feb 21, 2019
Scratching at the head area and not eating by: Anonymous
My turtle has been scratching his head a lot and he has not been eating, can someone please tell me what is wrong?
Nov 06, 2018
turtle scratching by: Shelly
Since there are many possible issues, you need to take this animal to see a vet.
Keep it slow and steady.
Oct 27, 2018
Poor thing by: Toni
My turtle is experiencing sign of scratchyness around tge head as well as he is not eating please respond if you have an tips for the well-being of my turtle ,thanks.
Jun 13, 2018
Possible solution by: Anonymous
Most of the comments point to water heater any one have one of those and still have a problem?
Jul 01, 2016
Get help by: Anonymous
I had 2 RES who were doing the same thing and I didn't know why. Had them 8 years before they started and I couldn't get them to stop no matter what I did. I looked all over the Internet for answers and found nothing. One turtle ended up cutting itself wide open on both sides of its neck and died not long after. I suggest taking them to a vet or a turtle expert rather than waiting for the answer online!
Jun 30, 2015
turtle scratching at neck by: Anonymous
my male yellow belly has been on his basking area day in and day out for weeks now, he is scratching and sometimes looks dead, I touch him and he is very alert, I did take his heater out of the tank, thought as it is warmer out, they didn't need it, maybe I need to put the heater back in, I have not noticed any aggressiveness towards the other turtle nor has he been trying to bite me or himself
Jul 30, 2013
Dramma by: Anonymous
My turtle berly started doing this i brought a friend for it and it was finat first but then i change the water and but this conditioner in the water and it started runing around and biting itself so i left it and then i went to eat and saw it just lying on its baske t then i came here
Mar 31, 2012
turtle by: Anonymous
some times my turtle tries to screch his neck what would be the reasom for that?????? my turtle is a red eared slider turtle which is 18 months old??????
Jan 08, 2012
Scratching neck and shedding by: Anonymous
So I was one of the posters who had a basking area and then started to see the turtle scratching and shedding. I think it was related to the temp of the water, which I did not have a heater. He seemed to like the dry heat area so much he just stayed there, perhaps because the water was so cold(?). So after I installed a water heater, and changed the basking area to a different setup, he got into the water more and had less shedding. It took a long time for the shedding to stop, like a few months, but I did notice a gradual difference. Now he's in the water more and uses the basking area less. So I think the shedding is related to having overly dry skin and/or being in the water.
Jan 08, 2012
Derma?? by: Anonymous
My turtle is doin the same! Im not sure its to do with shedding! It must be a skin irritation,like we get surely?! My new basking board,is it that? Help my turtle! he looks really uncomfortable.
Dec 30, 2011
shedding by: Tara
I found out that it seemed to be shedding. But, try moving the light a little further away to see if its just too close.
Dec 27, 2011
help by: Anonymous
i got a baby turtle and just got another one to keep the first one company and now there both doing it they rub and scratch their head when they bask, im not sure if its because the heat makes their skin dry and itchh i cant find the answer anywhere please help
Sep 30, 2011
reply by: Anonymous
They do have stuff you can put in the tank to help condition their skin. You could rule it out. But it sounds like sheding to me.
Sep 29, 2011
same.... by: Anonymous
I am watching the same thing right now. One of my two turtles is scratching himself loads whilst sitting on his basking area, and rarely comes off it. When I see him in the water, his necks seems to be bothering him quite a bit and he tries to scratch it. At these times he bites his own arms quite roughly.
He also seems to be being more aggressive to the other (both male) turtle..which I haven't seen before.
They just got into a new tank with gravel that fish previously used, and I am worried it is some sort of skin complaint caused by this. Any more input from anyone?
Feb 21, 2011
shedding by: tara b.
I found mine was just shedding. This lasted a while.
Feb 21, 2011
turtle scratching by: Anonymous
My red eared slider is also scratching his neck. I recently installed a dry basking area with a lamp. Now he only stays in the basking area and does not go into the water at all. He is constantly scratching his neck and head area with both arms. Anyone find out why their turtle is scratching?
Nov 26, 2010
Thanks by: Shelly
Thank you for sharing your experience. That will help others who come looking for an answer to the same question.
Keep it slow and steady.
Nov 24, 2010
noticed shedding by: Anonymous
I just wanted to note here that my turtle is now shedding; so it is likely that the shedding was causing the scratching and nipping.
thanks for all the input and help!
Nov 18, 2010
No shedding by: Anonymous
I am not noticing the shedding; That was my first thought.
Nov 18, 2010
nippng turtles by: Anonymous
This could be due to skin shedding. Do they shed skin around the time they nip themselves?
Nov 17, 2010
response by: Anonymous
No, I don't know why. He is still doing it. He is also starting to be a little aggresive toward our other turtle as well; I am wondering if it may be a mating thing.