marklfeldman

That gray colour is striking. Is it the result of being on the gray pipe or does it always look like that? Mark Feldman

See the discussion on red ear terrapins with white shell for details on treatment and prevention. Mark Feldman

Alan-I tried to email you the requested papers but they bounced back. Do you have another email address? Mark

If you'd like more details on white shell I can email you a copy of the paper I've just completed on the disease. Just send a note to [email protected]. Mark Feldman

This is a disease I labled "white shell" a few years ago. Notice how it starts at the edge of the scute and progresses towards the middle. It occurs because the turtles do not dry out enough and the layers of keratin swell and then split along the edges and that allows bacteria (NOT fungi) to get in and start digesting the keratin. Eventually it will progress into the bones and kill the animal. To prevent the disease always have a heat lamp (60-75 watt bulb will do) over the sunning area so the turtle can dry out completely most days of the week. Do NOT cover your tank so the humidity is low. The best treatment is natural sun outside but be careful not to cook your turtle. if your turtles frighten easily and flee into the water keep them somewhere during sunning time that they cannot see you or put a visual barrier around their tank. I have found that the turtles will cure themselves in 1-2 years if fed well and given the opportunity to dry out. Mark Feldman

Good question. I would like to see a close up of the upper shell to see if that pale colour is natural or if it's from white shell disease (from excess humidity). I'd also like to see a pic of the side of the head to evaluate the markings. It would be nice if they were not red-ears. Mark

In turtles the vast majority of deformities occur from incubating the eggs at too high a temperature. Excessive dryness can also cause it, but much less commonly.

My name is Mark Feldman. My wife and I have a collection of about 15 adult red-eared sliders that have been excellent breeding stock through the 15 years we've owned them. They are living in a friend's pond in Whangarei right now. They've been there for two years but we have to move them out of there in March, 2010. Unfortunately, I'm doing turtle research in America and I can't resume caring for the turtles for another year. We'll be returning to NZ permanently then. So I need someone with the necessary skills to keep the turtles from March, 2010 to about March, 2011. Of course, you will be able to keep all the hatchlings during that time. If anyone is interested please email me at [email protected] or post it here. Thanks.