oils?

[rachamelia]

I was wondering what you all put on your sulcata's shells? I see the turtle wax in the petstores but a member of the costal carolina herp society said he always used a tiny but of mineral oil (which I tried today). I just don't want to do anything to hurt my girl...is this ok?

Also, should I leave the light off of her after rubbing it on?

 

[knight_visionn]

I was wondering what you all put on your sulcata's shells? I see the turtle wax in the petstores but a member of the costal carolina herp society said he always used a tiny but of mineral oil (which I tried today). I just don't want to do anything to hurt my girl...is this ok?

Also, should I leave the light off of her after rubbing it on?

I personally use VitaShell once every few months.

http://www.petco.com/product/109459/TetraFauna-Turtle-VitaShell.aspx

As long as the shell is clean before hand, I haven't found any problems with it.

There are a lot of varied opinions on the stuff, and there are big threads here on such, but I would personally vouch for the product. If I remember correctly, one of the big boys here (Walking Rock maybe?) swears by it.

 

[Weda737]

I've done really well with Vitamin E skin oil from walmart. Keeps the growth lines white and soft longer. Also helps with the flaky dry skin shedding that makes my poor little sulcatas' head itch.

 

[jason g.]

I personally use VitaShell once every few months.

http://www.petco.com/product/109459/TetraFauna-Turtle-VitaShell.aspx

one of the big boys here (Walking Rock maybe?) swears by it.

Yes zamric says that walking rock uses it. His shell is beautiful!!

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Rachel:

Whatever you use, don't use a whole lot of it. You want the shell to be clean first, then apply the product, then take a soft cloth and polish most of it off. If you pack it on thickly, the dirt will adhere to it and might cause your baby to heat up.

 

[Weda737]

Oh yeah I should mention I just brush it on with a soft toothbrush during a soak so there isn't a bunch of excess.

 

[*Barracuda_50*]

We use VitaShell as well on all of our 3 leopard babies 1 to 2 times a week. I will vouch for it as well. We just got baby Kitwana so he/she just got started on it. Been putting it on Tikii and Javari since they came home, there shells are smooth and look great.

 

[swimqt]

Are these oils necessary or is it more of an aesthetic thing? And is it mostly for young tortoises or adults too?

 

[cemmons12]

I dont believe its necessary. But soaking young torts everyday is.

 

[drgnfly2265]

I use water

 

[RonHays]

I use water

Me too. Works just fine for me.

 

[grooby]

i use vitashell you can find it at petco maybe once a week, right after a soaking and let him run around for a while and i just wipe off any excess with a paper towel but i rub a lil on his skin as well and the top of his head he loves it