Urgent Care :: Its not urgent but

[Kansasslider]

I'm having a big problem with my res. My Mississippi map basks all day long. And that's great. My res hardly ever does and still has holes in her shell? Proper diet Yes. Perfect water temp. Perfect basking temp? Great diet? I have been here for 2 years and I'm stumped. She just won't bask? I don't like the holes in her shell in an earlier post. Someone? I'm at witts end if anyone has an idea I would be willing to try it. Thanks. Just when you think you know it all!

[steve]

Can you post an updated picture? Has any shedding occurred? The basking area might need to be changed up or a bump in basking temps and lower water temps might help.

[Kansasslider]

I really feal in doing her an injustice. She has vever been a fan of basking. This is the first time I have taken her out of the tank since the last time I took a picture. Keep in mind she looks fine when she is in the water. I keep my house At 75° so I can't lower the water temp. I have tried anywhere from 90° to 100° for basking temp. I see my map shed but never her? She looks bad

[steve]

Have you tried adding wheat-germ into the diet? Lots of retained scutes and ironically, they make shedding take even longer.

[Kansasslider]

I will get some asap! I was thinking maybe she is having a hard time getting on the basking rock so I added a ramp yesterday.

[Kansasslider]

Got s bag of Hikari wheat germ today. Keeping my fingers crossed it will help. Thank you Steve..

[steve]

Have you checked the shell where they have shed? You might want to an occasional maintenance scrub to keep debris out. Hikari is good, let's hope it helps but I think getting her to bask more will be the best thing.

[Kansasslider]

Do you think taking her out of the tank for a period of time each day would help? I have been taking her outside for sunlight the last few days. How about during winter I put her in a box with a blanket and heat and uvb above it? Her shell looks ok to me except for the damage. I have been putting lettuce on the basking rock and she does go get it. Sometimes she uses the ramp but mostly just climbs up on the rock itself. I'm just trying to get her used to getting on the rock.

[steve]

Outside basking is great. If you have the right space set up for them and the time to do it, go for it. During the winter, she how she responds to it. If she's stressed, then I wouldn't bother.

[Kansasslider]

Ok thanks. How do I know she is stressed?

[devilduck]

Maybe the basking area is too open and she does not feel safe basking there? Have you tried putting fake plants or something around it for privacy?

[Kansasslider]

I will give that a try devilduck.

[steve]

Stressed by mainly wanting to get out and being restless.

[Kansasslider]

She loves the outdoors. Put some plants on the huge rock and scared my Mississippi so I removed them. That's what's strange, she is not shy at all.

[Kansasslider]

Im pretty sure the wheat germ is working,she started sheding her scutes.. Still won't bask.