Bleaching carapace

RV's mom

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RV has bleaching on the dome of her shell, and I don't know why. Is this a problem for her that can be fixed? Some sort of "turtle wax" ? pun intended.. Shell is wet, she was under the sprinkler.

She sends her regards, and I, my thanks.
 

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Yvonne G

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Hey, stranger. . . long time no see!

That's not bleaching, it scraping. She's going under something that's rubbing her shell. Does she still burrow? Maybe there's a root or rock or something on the ceiling if her burrow! Or maybe she's found a nice place going under the cement patio and she's scraping her shell on the cement. ???
 

RV's mom

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Hey, stranger. . . long time no see!

That's not bleaching, it scraping. She's going under something that's rubbing her shell. Does she still burrow? Maybe there's a root or rock or something on the ceiling if her burrow! Or maybe she's found a nice place going under the cement patio and she's scraping her shell on the cement. ???
No burrowing. She does have a Rubbermaid hide and has only started using it as our temps have finally dropped. The area I'm concerned with is top and rear plates (scutes?). You can see where she would scrape the crown when she did burrow.. is there any kind of shell conditioner I could use, either in her feed or as a topical?

Sorry I've been away, this was easier sitting in front of the computer with a keyboard.
 

Yvonne G

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People have been using cold pressed coconut oil with good results
 

Tom

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No burrowing. She does have a Rubbermaid hide and has only started using it as our temps have finally dropped. The area I'm concerned with is top and rear plates (scutes?). You can see where she would scrape the crown when she did burrow.. is there any kind of shell conditioner I could use, either in her feed or as a topical?

Sorry I've been away, this was easier sitting in front of the computer with a keyboard.
HI! How are you heating her inside the shed?
 

Tom

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Hi Tom! We don't have lights or heat from above, using just the pig mats and have only had those on since it has gotten cooler.
I've not seen this before. Can we get more pics? Perhaps some when she's dry too.
 

RV's mom

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Some in shade, some in sunlight.
 

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Tom

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That sure looks like the kind of desiccation common to the top of the carapace from a heat lamp to me. Hmmm... If there is no heat lamp, I don't have an explanation for this.

You might try to add some humidity to the night shelter by leaving some tubs or buckets of water inside. Maybe that would help in the absence of a burrow.
 

RV's mom

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That sure looks like the kind of desiccation common to the top of the carapace from a heat lamp to me. Hmmm... If there is no heat lamp, I don't have an explanation for this.

You might try to add some humidity to the night shelter by leaving some tubs or buckets of water inside. Maybe that would help in the absence of a burrow.
We live in extreme summer condition, and this year the heat and UV seemed more intense.
RV has the run of the yard, we've never blocked or locked her in her hide ~ so it is her decision where she beds down to sleep: back porch, in the yard or under a tree... I'm thinking she will be in the hide as the pads are on and temps are expected to drop in a major way tonight.
Thanks Tom.
 
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