Other Turtle Discussion :: Red stripes fade from cold/starvation?

[theartbook35]

I know that as RES get up there in age, that their red stripes darken. But today I was talking with some folks about an RES my friend found in the wild. One person mentioned that their stripes fade if they are too cold or "starving" (she meant haven't eaten for a long time). Has anyone heard of this? Is this even true?

To me it seems odd but I don't know everything there is to know about RES and other sliders.

[steve]

That's not true... there are many variations of the strips, but cold/starvation should have no effect.

[theartbook35]

That's not true... there are many variations of the strips, but cold/starvation should have no effect.

That's what I figured, but I wanted to be sure. Thanks

[steve]

No problem... I wonder where people get these ideas from.

[Tampa Bay Turtle Fan]

I know that as RES get up there in age, that their red stripes darken. But today I was talking with some folks about an RES my friend found in the wild. One person mentioned that their stripes fade if they are too cold or "starving" (she meant haven't eaten for a long time). Has anyone heard of this? Is this even true?

To me it seems odd but I don't know everything there is to know about RES and other sliders.

I also never heard of this either. Take for example many threads you see here on these forums and other forums with people reporting their turtles not eating and illnesses that were reported. Many times, photos are asked to be provided and then you go and look at other photos that member posted of that same turtle and others that they may own. My observations is that there was no changes to its markings and of course different lighting in the photos may confuse a person on this issue as well unless you see the turtle in person yourself. So I agree with both of you that it is false all the way through,

Another prospective area to look at is to question the environment of the enclosure such as water conditions and substrate. Could this be a prospective area that something could be on a turtle itself making it appear to have their stripes fade but really is not? Just a curious thought on my end that can possibly lead to a answer regarding the husbandry of the member who posted this while comparing it to the conditions where it was located and captured in the wild.

Just a thought and very curious one at that. Very interesting area of research but again like I stated , I agree with both of you on it being false.