Why do turtles shed their scutes?

As a turtle grows, his shell grows with him, much as our skeleton grows as we grow. As he grows, he will go through periods of molting where the scutes shed individually. It looks like a portion of the shell is peeling off. A new and larger scute develops underneath as the old scute sheds.
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Do turtle scutes grow back?

With proper medications and care, a damaged shell can often grow back, though this can take months to years. If you see an injured turtle in the wild please call the Wildlife Clinic at the CNC at 770-992-2055 x239 or find your local rehabilitator at Animal Help Now.
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Do turtles drop scutes when killed?

Not only are many turtle species endangered, but turtles don't actually drop turtle shells when they die. Instead, you need to piece together your own turtle shell from the bits of shell – called scutes – that are dropped when a baby turtle grows up into an adult turtle.
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What does healthy turtle shedding look like?

Kasey: “In a healthy shed the scutes will appear translucent with gradual peeling. When your turtle is ready to shed its 'body' skin you may notice that their skin looks a little hazy.
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How do you treat a turtle's shell peeling?

There is no harm in pulling the peeling scutes off a turtle as long as they come off easily. Scutes not peeling because of tightly adhering algae can be eased off with a knife blade. Turtles like box turtles do not normally peel. However, they may peel as part of a healing process.
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Turtle Shell Peeling? What to do during shedding! | Turtle 101

Is it normal for turtles to shed their shells?

Peeling as part of the growth process is normal as long as the thin layers come off, revealing shell that looks and feels normal. Scutes should generally be intact and whole and not come off in parts. If they don't, it could be a sign of disease.
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What does an unhealthy turtle shell look like?

The shell may be soft, bumpy, or asymmetrical. The problem may be due to an inappropriate diet, too high in protein and fat, or a diet that is imbalanced in vitamins and minerals. The turtle also may not be getting adequate levels of ultraviolet light.
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How do you know if a turtle is dehydrated?

Help! I Think My Reptile Is Dehydrated!
  1. Dry, wrinkled or puckered skin.
  2. Loss of skin elasticity and flexibility.
  3. Sunken, receded eyes.
  4. Weakness and lethargy.
  5. Sticky or dry membranes.
  6. Flaky skin or trouble shedding.
  7. Constipation or infrequent defecation.
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What does it mean when my turtle's skin is peeling?

Some small amount of visible shedding is not alarming, but any skin shedding that is prolonged or extensive is not really normal. Many owners overfeed their turtles and overheat their enclosures, both of which can lead to shedding.
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What is the number one cause of death for turtles?

Fishing nets and by catch of sea turtles and of course plastic pollution is the leading cause of sea turtle death.
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Do turtles get sad if another turtle dies?

So, there is no reason to assume that turtles don't mourn when a buddy they've spent a large portion of their life with moves or passes away. And there is a lot of indication, that they do.
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Does holding a turtle by the shell hurt it?

It can cause permanent damage. Try to apply as little pressure as possible to the shell when restraining the animal. Keep in mind that it generally requires less pressure to get a good grip when you use a two-handed hold than when you use a one-handed hold.
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Do turtles have feelings in their shells?

A: Yes a turtle's shell does have feeling! If you scratch a turtle, he will feel it just as if you were scratching his skin. He can also feel pain through his shell. We've sadly seen many cases where humans have drilled holes in turtles' shells.
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Can a turtle live without a shell?

The short answer, is no! In fact, turtles and tortoises can not live without their shells. That is because turtles are vertebrates and their shells are fused with their bones. What is a vertebrate?
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How long do turtles live?

Lifespan of Turtles. The average lifespan of a turtle or tortoise is highly dependent on the species. Some species may only live 10 to 20 years in captivity, while others can live up to 150 years. In general, most turtle and tortoise species can live well into their 50s if provided appropriate care.
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Do turtles like to be left alone?

Most turtles, though, are friendly, but not needy. They may enjoy seeing people and even learn to recognize their parents, but they do not require human interaction or constant attention the way a dog does.
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What do turtles do when they are happy?

Turtles enjoy swimming, basking in the sun, and being active. Turtles also grow.
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Do turtles enjoy being held?

Pet turtles do not like to be held and are loners; therefore, they can become boring pets for children. Without this special light, many health issues arise such as metabolic bone disease. It is very important to know what kind of species you want and the care it needs before you acquire a pet turtle.
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Do you give turtles water to drink?

Aquatic turtles do not need an individual water bowl since most of their environment is water they can drink water from the habitat in addition to absorbing it through their skin and cloaca.
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What are the symptoms of a sick turtle?

These are the most typical warning signs of a health issue:
  • Strange behaviors that aren't typical of your pet turtle.
  • Excessive soaking or pacing.
  • Green feces, urates, and/or diarrhea.
  • Anorexia or loss of appetite.
  • Weight loss.
  • Discharge from the mouth or nares.
  • Partially closed or puffy eyes.
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Do turtles need to be in water all the time?

Some turtles live mostly in water (aquatic) and just use the beach for warming itself and laying eggs. Other turtles spend almost all of their time on land (terrestrial).
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How do you know if a turtle is upset?

A bullied turtle will be skittish, hide often, or sit constantly in one place.
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How do you tell if your turtle has vitamin deficiency?

Vitamin A deficiency (called Hypovitaminosis A) is extremely common in young aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles and it is usually recognised by opacity of the corneal surface of the eye due to poor epithelial development. The eyelids become inflamed and swollen and the animal may have difficulty breathing with wheezing.
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