Panyk's Shell

[BKrazyH]

Your new question is located here.

[Ramenuzumaki]

should Panyk's scutes actually come off? cuz it seems that his shell is just growing and the old scute are just along for the ride
do i need to get something for him to scratch on or something? i figured hed use the new decoration i put in and had to take the plants off of
should i just keep waiting?
is there anything i could do to help him?

[BKrazyH]

You can gently scratch him (better still let HIM scratch against) a very soft toothbrush. But scutes do sometimes take a while to drop off. Unless he has a build up or pyramiding he most likely won't need assistance. Of course that doesn't mean he wouldn't like a little back scratch anyway! 

[Ramenuzumaki]

ok ill get him a soft toothbrush and see what happens :3

[Ramenuzumaki]

ok so Panyk still hasnt shed his scutes
his shell is kinda icky looking when hes under water like the scutes are a lighter colour
i think B said it was just air under the scutes
but shouldnt he have shed them by now?
its bee like two months

[Charlie98]

Bill's shell has looked like that for over 6 months.  She doesn't bask very much and her scutes never really dried out.  I lowered the water temp to 77F and she seems to be basking more.   

Panyk's shell may look ooky, but I think he's OK.  Eventually they will shed... 

[BKrazyH]

An adult turtle can take up to 6 months to shed - even more if there's pyramiding. Easter once had a scute hang on for a year.

Just make sure there's no algae under the scute. You'll be able to see it if there is. It will come off in its own sweet time.

You can also offer "scratching posts". I have PVC pipe (with a cap) stuck down in the tank for the sole purpose of Easter being able to scratch on it. He gets UNDER his little bridge and scratches. Then sometimes he'll leap out of the water, bite onto the air hose and use it to hold himself while he scratches against the dock!

The point is, you can offer places for him to scratch so he can do so at HIS leisure.

[Charlie98]

Then sometimes he'll leap out of the water, bite onto the air hose and use it to hold himself while he scratches against the dock!

B, we need a picture of that!!! 

[BKrazyH]

I'd LOVE to oblige.... unfortunately Easter won't.

[Ramenuzumaki]

yeah a pic of that would be awesome LOL
he has a few things in there that he can scratch on
a few decotarions
one of which he could fit through sideways and scratch on
i think he has before not sure
i just wanted to make sure nothing was wrong :3

[Charlie98]

I'd LOVE to oblige.... unfortunately Easter won't.

Now wait a minute...  who's in charge around your house?  You or the turtle?

Boy, that wouldn't stand at my house....  (What?  Oh, yes, dear!  I'll feed the turtles right now....)

I gotta go...   

[Ramenuzumaki]

i can say Panyk is definitely inchage of my place :P
here is a SEMI RECENT pic of his shell

[Ramenuzumaki]

i took these yesterday/day before







its the whiteness that bothers me :(
theres no algae on his shell
and theres no algae anywhere in his tank except on the ramp for his basking platform