Red eared sliders are one of the most popular pet turtles in the world These cute little reptiles with their vibrant red stripes and engaging personalities make great additions to any home. However, they do require proper care and housing to remain healthy One of the most common health issues pet red eared sliders face is a condition called soft shell syndrome.
What is Soft Shell Syndrome?
Soft shell syndrome is a metabolic bone disease that affects the turtle’s shell. It causes the shell to become soft, malformed, or warped. This occurs when the turtle suffers from an improper diet and lack of adequate sunlight/UVB light. The shell is made up of bone covered by scutes (horny external plates). When the bone loses density and becomes soft, it can no longer properly support the scutes. This leads to deformities in the shell shape and structure.
Soft shell is not a specific disease but rather a collection of symptoms stemming from nutritional deficiencies and improper lighting. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications and potential death for the turtle. That’s why it’s so important for red eared slider owners to understand, recognize, and treat soft shell syndrome promptly.
What Causes Soft Shell in Red Eared Sliders?
There are two main causes of soft shell syndrome in pet red eared sliders:
1. Lack of Calcium
Turtles need high levels of calcium for proper bone development and maintenance. When they don’t get enough calcium, their bodies will start pulling it from the bones and shell. This leads to a gradual softening and weakening of these structures.
Insufficient calcium can happen for a few reasons
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Improper diet – Not enough calcium-rich foods like kale, dandelion greens, shrimp, mealworms. Too much protein can inhibit calcium absorption.
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Lack of supplementation – No calcium powder or cuttlebone provided.
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Poor lighting – Inadequate UVB rays inhibit vitamin D3 production needed to metabolize calcium.
2. Lack of UVB Light
Sunlight and UVB light trigger vitamin D3 synthesis in turtles. Vitamin D3 helps regulate calcium absorption and metabolism. Without it, calcium deficiency and subsequent soft shell will occur even if dietary calcium intake is adequate.
Some reasons turtles may not get enough UVB include:
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No UVB bulb or weak bulb. These need replacing every 6-12 months.
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Wrong UVB bulb type – Coil and compact fluorescents are ineffective. T5 HO linear bulbs work best.
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Improper UVB lighting setup – Bulb too far, obstructed by screen top, reflecting off surfaces instead of pointing straight down.
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Not enough exposure time – Turtles need 8-12 hours daily within 12-18 inches of UVB source.
Signs & Symptoms of Soft Shell Syndrome
Some early signs that your red eared slider may be developing soft shell syndrome include:
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Visible shell deformities -indentations, bends, ridges, pyramiding, hinged appearance
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White spot lesions on shell
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Soft or spongy feeling shell
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Lethargy and loss of appetite
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Swollen eyes or limbs
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Difficulty swimming and walking
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Bone fractures
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Beak abnormalities
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Twitching or tremors
As the condition worsens, you may see:
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Extreme shell warping or curling
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Paralysis
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Organ failure
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Seizures
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Eventual death if untreated
Performing weekly visual inspections of your turtle’s shell is important to catch soft shell early before extreme damage occurs. Touching the shell gently can also help determine if areas feel unusually soft or flexible.
Treating Soft Shell Syndrome
The key to treating soft shell syndrome is correcting the underlying nutritional deficiencies causing it. This involves:
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Providing proper UVB lighting – Ensure turtle is getting 8-12 hours a day of UVB from a high quality, linear bulb within 12 inches. Replace bulb every 6-12 months.
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Boosting calcium intake – Increase calcium-rich foods, provide shell-dusting calcium powder 2-3 times weekly, offer cuttlebone for nibbling.
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Balancing diet – Feed more veggies, go easy on protein which can inhibit calcium absorption.
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Supplementing vitamins – Use a reptile multivitamin once or twice a week.
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Removing tank algae – Buildup prevents absorption of UVB rays.
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Ensuring proper temperatures – 88-95°F basking area allows vitamin D3 synthesis; 75-80°F water enables feeding and digestion.
For turtles already showing signs of soft shell, a vet may prescribe calcium and vitamin injections to quickly restore deficiencies. Topical calcium creams applied directly to the shell may also help strengthen weakened areas.
While soft shell cannot be reversed once bone and shell damage occur, taking these measures can halt further progression and allow your turtle to live a long, happy life with the proper care and habitat adjustments.
Preventing Soft Shell Syndrome
Stopping soft shell before it ever develops is the best course of action. Here are some key prevention tips for red eared slider owners:
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Use a large tank with basking area, heat/UVB lamp, and water heater to maintain ideal temperatures.
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Feed a varied, calcium-rich diet including veggies, commercial pellets, insects, shrimp, fish.
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Dust food with calcium powder and use cuttlebone 2-3 times weekly.
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Provide a high quality UVB bulb within 12 inches of basking area. Replace every 6-12 months.
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Allow 8-12 hours daily UVB exposure.
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Use digital thermometer & hydrometer to monitor tank environment.
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Clean tank weekly, change water biweekly.
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inspect shell and body weekly for any abnormalities.
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Take the turtle outdoors periodically for natural sunlight.
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Schedule annual wellness checkups with an exotic vet.
By understanding the causes of metabolic bone disease and providing optimal diet, lighting, and habitat for your red eared slider, you can help prevent soft shell syndrome and keep your turtle’s shell strong and healthy for years to come. Be vigilant for early signs and make proper adjustments at the first hint of abnormalities. With attentive care and husbandry, soft shell can be avoided in captive red eared sliders.
My turtle’s shell is soft. Why?
A soft turtle shell, in most cases, is a result of inadequate husbandry (how well your pet turtle’s habitat is taken care of, essentially) and diet.
“When it comes to your turtle’s aquatic habitat, exposure to ultraviolet light is key,” Tullio told The Dodo. “Turtles need UVB lighting (10–12 hours a day) in order to properly process calcium in captivity. Without UVB lighting, the chances for metabolic bone disease increase.” Metabolic bone disease is the inability to correctly metabolize calcium, which can lead to malformed shell growth and other deformities.
A lack of calcium in your turtle’s diet can also be an issue.
“If your turtle is not getting enough calcium in their regular diet, you may have to add a calcium supplement, such as Repti Calcium, which can be sprinkled over their food,” Tullio said. “Another easy way to provide calcium to your turtle is by giving him a cuttlebone, which is another type of calcium and mineral supplement.”
As referenced above, if a long-term lack of calcium persists, it can lead to “soft shell syndrome,” or metabolic bone disease.
“This disease can be deadly if your turtle is not given an adequate diet with calcium and doesn’t receive the proper lighting required for their breed,” Tullio said.
You might need to visit your vet.
A turtle’s most distinctive feature is his shell. More than just his home, the turtle shell serves as his armor and protection against predators. It also contains bones that attach to the turtles spine, like a skeleton does for humans. But what happens if a turtle’s shell is soft? Is that a cause for concern?
We spoke with Kaitlyn Tullio, a licensed veterinary technician with TeleTails, for more insight into the importance of the turtle shell and whether you should be concerned if your turtle’s shell is soft.
Red-Eared Slider, The Best Pet Turtle?
FAQ
Why is my red-eared slider turtle shell soft?
Causes of soft shell includes: too little calcium in the diet, insufficient UVB lighting (bulb too weak for enclosure set up, too far or in use for too long), injury, infection and metabolic bone disease.
How to fix a turtle’s soft shell?
soak your turtle in a small amount of warm water (enough to cover his shell) with two droppers full of the poly vi sol. do this twice a day until the problem is resolved. you can also apply it directly to the shell and dry dock your turtle for the night. i found this worked a little bit better for me. good luck!
How to fix shell rot on a red-eared slider?
You’ll need to dry dock the turtle and clean the area. Gently rinse the area, clean with and then apply a general anti sceptic plus maybe something like Neosporin for pain although that may be too big a ouchie for that, leave the anti sceptic, and finally dry dock the turtle for 12 hours after cleaning.
How to tell if your turtle has shell rot?
- Discoloration : Look for areas on the shell that appear discolored, such as yellow, brown, or white spots.
- Softness or Pitting : If the shell feels soft or has pits and depressions, this can indicate rot.
- Foul Odor
- Swelling or Inflammation
- Separation or Cracking
- Behavioral Changes
Do red eared sliders have soft shells?
While some turtles naturally have soft shells, it is not typical for a red-eared slider to have a soft shell. If your red-nosed slider has a soft shell, it could be a sign of metabolic bone disease, which could become fatal if untreated. Additionally, a soft turtle shell could signify shell rot.
Are red eared sliders healthy?
Red-eared sliders are popular aquatic turtles, and taking care of their shell is crucial for their overall health. Here’s how you can ensure the health and well-being of a red-eared slider’s shell: Feed them a balanced diet that includes commercial turtle pellets, which are formulated to provide all the necessary nutrients.
How to treat red eared slider?
If it is an infection, you can apply home-made treatments on your red eared slider. First, dry the shell carefully. Apply silver sulfadiazine cream on the patches or spots. You can apply betadine solution on the spots too. But make sure to dry the solvent on the shell. Continue this process for a few days.
Can a red eared slider survive a cracked shell?
When one part of a turtle’s shell gets snapped by massive force, this phenomenon is known as Cracked Shell. In most cases, a red eared turtle survives cracked shell situation if it is not severe. Why Cracked Shell Condition Happens To A Red Eared Slider? Three main points are responsible for this condition of a red eared slider.
How do you fix a red eared slider turtle?
Aggressive behavior means your turtle can create holes in your turtle’s shell. If there is a hole in your red-eared slider’s shell, you can cover the hole with a fiberglass patch. The fiberglass patch will cover the hole in the shell and prevent any water or bacteria from entering the shell. Attach the fiberglass patch using glue.
Do red eared slider turtles have discoloration?
Discoloration is one of the most common problems for red-eared sliders. However, not all forms of discoloration should alarm you. In fact, some discoloration can be a good sign of a healthy turtle. A white shell is common for many red-eared slider turtles, which are not kept in a hospitable living environment.