Feeding and Nutrition :: shell turning upwards - pyramiding - What's wrong?

[ironicqueery]

I think I take very good care of my turtles - they have a cuttle bone, they have a heat lamp and the UV light. they are fed pellets (for young turtles), and occasionally some freeze dried worms, etc. I give them red-leaf lettuce as well, with some calcium powder sprinkled on top of it.

However, their shells are still turning upwards a bit on the rear - and it looks like some pyramiding is beginning. They are very small - less than 2 inches.
what else do i need to be doing so they have healthy lives and shells? The turtles themselves are fine and dandy - but I'm concerned about the shell issues.

[octpusgirl8]

Pyramiding comes from being overfed on high protien foods like pellets or bloodworms. Cut back on the pellets (give them as much as would fit in thier head everyday) and give them plenty of veggies every day. Do you have a UVB light?

[rachel16]

also you should start feeding them cuttle bone

[mikee]

Iron-quee -- What are the basking temp and do you have a uvb light? Oct-girl is correct. Do not over feed with protien or anything else. Reptomine pellets are good with a little extra calcium.

[megcornell]

Also, how large is your tank?

[SpotsMama]

Can you post a photo? They're awfully young to be showing signs of pyramiding. Perhaps they're really ok - if we could see a photo it would be most helpful.

Sounds like you're doing a good job - giving them cuttlebone, pellets, lettuce, some treats and letting them bask under UVB light (you said UV light - did you mean UVB? If the light bulb only puts out UVA then it isn't giving the turtles what they need). Check to be sure that the quantity of pellets isn't too great.

Shell deformities like pyramiding and upward curving shell rims are mostly caused by dietary problems. A lack of UVB light (which enables them to absorb the calcium they eat) and/or calcium causes metabolic bone disease which manifests as shell and bone deformities. Also, too rich a diet will cause shell deformities. These things usually show up in grown turtles rather than little 2" turtles.

[marisa]

The upward tilt of the marginal scutes can be due to a growth spurt. Has there been noticeable growth recently? Are the seams (lines in between the scutes) widening? If so, your turtles may be growing a bit too fast. How many pellets are you giving them at a feeding? How often do you feed them? No other foods other than what you said you gave them above (like shrimp, krill, etc.)?