People who have experience in keeping turtles or are breeders know that some turtles may have soft shells. If a turtle’s shell is soft, it is a sign of weak physical health. If you want to know if your turtle is healthy, you can check it from its shell. If it’s soft that means you need to take it to the vet.
There are multiple reasons why your turtle’s shell is soft, which we are going to discuss in this guide. If you are planning to keep a turtle as a pet, make sure you take these 5 important factors into consideration.
Reasons Why Your Turtle’s Shell is Soft:
Here are the 5 reasons behind the soft shell of your turtle. Make sure to consult with the vet so that they can make sure your pet is treated.
1. It’s a Baby Turtle:
If your turtle is a baby then you do not have to worry as a baby turtle’s shell is soft, which is natural after all. It takes a few months for the shell to get strong. You should just take care of it with proper diet and exercise so your turtle gets healthy. Moreover, it is important to keep your pet turtle in a clean habitat so that over time, its shell gets stronger.
2. Deficiency of Calcium:
It is important to make sure that the turtle’s shell remains hard once it is completely developed. Therefore, if you notice that its shell is getting weak, that is probably because of calcium deficiency. If not treated on time, your turtle can get a metabolic bone disease which could lead to death.
Just like a human body needs nutrients on a daily basis to function properly, a turtle needs these essentials as well, mainly calcium. Some people give their turtle calcium-fortified pellets but that may not be enough. You need to consult the doctor and then increase the amount of this important nutrient, which is calcium until its shell becomes hard enough.
3. Lack of Lighting:
Another important reason your turtle’s shell is soft is because of the poor lighting in the tank. When the turtles are in the wild, they are in abundance of UVB rays, which keeps them healthy. Therefore, if you are keeping a turtle, make sure to consult an expert regarding the lighting so the shell doesn’t get weak.
4. The Water Temperature is not warm Enough:
A turtle needs a water temperature that must be 75-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure you have the thermostat so you can check the temperature inside the tank. Keep the right temperature in the tank otherwise, your turtle’s health will be compromised.
5. The Shell is Infected:
In some cases, the reason could be the infected shell. If the shell is getting weak, you need to visit the vet at your earliest because it might have gotten a bacterial infection. If not treated on time, the shell will get weak and start damaging your turtle.
Also Read: 5 Fascinating Reasons Why Turtles Without Shells Won’t Survive
How to Treat the Weak Shell in Turtle?
As mentioned above, the best possible way to keep your turtle’s shell healthy is to make sure that is getting enough light, calcium, and other necessary minerals.
Moreover, make sure that your turtle is not losing weight. If you notice any frequent changes in your turtle’s weight, take it to the doctor immediately.
If you are continuously feeding your turtle in the right way with the right diet and making sure it is getting enough light, then you don’t have to worry. The shell gets hard over time if you are taking care of all the factors mentioned above.
Bottom Line:
If your turtle’s shell is soft, this is something serious and you should take immediate action for it. Make sure you are feeding your turtle on time with the right supplements and keeping the water temperature at the correct degrees. Also, make regular visits to the vet to ensure a healthy life for your turtle.
