Feeding and Nutrition :: possibly overfeeding?

[scripta_elegans]

I am unsure on this, but my turtles are almost continuously shedding, and their water temp at 78-79 consistantly. I am afraid I may be overestimating head size without the neck. Is there any measurement that might help me be a bit more accurate with the pellets? They are 7 months old and a little over 2 inches each? The vet was fine with the weight they were at at the last visit, but I don't think there's a real set standard. I am also sure it isn't fungal, as I cultured their skin to be sure. They aren't sloughing tons of skin either, just little wisps, one or two all the time. Any other measurement suggestions for food, as I think I may be a poor estimator?

[grey goose]

It may be that the water is too warm. Overfeeding and/or warm water are the two reasons turtles shed excessively.
Although "little wisps" would not be considered excessive for growing turtles. My little guys are coming up on 9 months, and Big Daddy (the largest) is just a hair under 3.5 inches......And they all have those little wisps to some degree.
I don't think you have anything to worry about.....

[steve]

I just mentioned this in another topic, but my RES are constantly shedding skin. It's not something I'm really worrying about since it's always been like that. One has always shed more than the other. I do think the warm water is a major factor but I'm not sure how diet clearly impacts skin shedding.

[scripta_elegans]

Okay! thanks Goose and Steve! Is 78-79 too warm for 6 month old turtles? I know it's the temp for hatchlings, and I thought that was until about 1 year? I have a digital thermometer and a glass thermometer, and they generally agree.

[Muirner]

i hear that most people start to do the switch at about 1 year to cooler temps. When the year comes for me (about 9-10months from now) i'll go down slowly with the temp. I'd say leave it still, it sounds ok.

Also, with the shedding part, my turtles do it, no rhyme or reason to when but they do. I wouldnt stress unless it seems excessive.

[industrial_girl_2000]

I just mentioned this in another topic, but my RES are constantly shedding skin. It's not something I'm really worrying about since it's always been like that. One has always shed more than the other. I do think the warm water is a major factor but I'm not sure how diet clearly impacts skin shedding.

Same here! Sheba constantly sheds skin. It might also be a genetic thing, since I can't recall that my previous painted turtles ever shed like she does.

Turning down the temp a degree or two definitely helped that. I have her at a constant 76 degrees (vs. 79 before). The skin shedding is still there, but not too bad & the filter no longer clogs up.

[grey goose]

I used to keep the water temp @ 77-78 but I lowered it to 76.5 and they seem to shed less and bask more.....

[marisa]

I would think that for your 7-month old turtles, a temp of 78 would be fine (if they're healthy a degree or two lower probably wouldn't hurt). How often do you change the water?

If they're just sloughing off little wisps, this doesn't sound abnormal to me.