Sometimes people are surprised by this question but, like other reptiles, turtles fall! Although snakes regularly shed their entire skin in one piece, and lizards shed in large pieces, the shedding process looks very different in turtles because of their unique anatomy. The skin of the turtle is composed of small scales, from which they fall off in small pieces, though not so regularly as in other reptiles. Their shell is made up of small plates called scutes, and these are also shed—more often for younger turtles as they grow, and more often for adult turtles. If you ever notice a turtle crawling around the sides of their enclosure or on rocks, they are usually trying to shed the outer layer of their scutes!
To ensure that your turtle stays healthy and can shed properly, be sure to provide an appropriate enclosure temperature, good nutrition rich in vitamins A, D, and E, and a UVB lamp that is changed every 6 months for internal turtle. Access to soaking water is necessary even for land turtles, and good water filtration for aquatics. If your turtle is lethargic or not eating, or if their skin or shell has discoloration or an unpleasant odor, be sure to schedule a consultation with a reptile veterinarian right away.
To get more information on turtles or other exotic pet needs, call our team at the Veterinary Center for Birds and Exotics today at (914) 864-1414.
