Giant Mexican Musk Turtle shell changed colors. Why?

[Parais11]

I have a beautiful staurotypus triporcatus giant musk turtle. He is captive bred and born in 2017. I have had him alittle over a year, and when I received him he was an extraordinary red color. The last few months his shell has lost almost all the red color on top. Any idea why, or if this is normal? He has definitely grown, and is healthy and active. The pics below are from a few months ago. Any help or advice would be great.

 

[Parais11]

And here are a few pictures I took today 7/11/20. Any help or advice or comments will be great.

 

[turtlesteve]

Possible the red is due to iron staining from the water he was raised in previously. I used to see this on wild painted turtles when I was a kid. They would have red-orange plastrons and the new growth would be yellow since it was not stained yet. They would lose all the stain when shedding scutes.

 

[Parais11]

Interesting point. The only thing that doesn’t make sense is the plastron is still extremely reddish. Hasn’t faded at all. Thank you for your thoughts. Appreciate it.

 

[Srmcclure]

Maybe thats just the color of juveniles? Not at all familiar with these so I could be way off base. Just a thought. Kind of like baby deer have spots, but loose them as they grow?

 

[Yvonne G]

I don't have any experience with these turtles, however, with most chelonian species the animals start turning more drab as they age.

 

[Pastel Tortie]

He is such a handsome turtle, regardless of coloration. Beautiful!