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Why is my red-eared slider turtle's shell so dark? Is it healthy?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Reptile | Aquatic Turtle | Female | unspayed

My red eared slider turtle's shell is darker than my friend's.. I'm worried that it might have some problems. Can u please see the picture and tell is this normal color or not (it's a red eared slider turtle 3cms)?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Todd Cecil

Veterinarian

Published on January 27th, 2019

Thanks for reaching out about Lio and including photos. The pictures don't show any concerns except maybe some algae growing on the shell. This might be an indication of poor water quality. Test and correct water quality problems. For optimal growth, red eared sliders need to kept at a specific temperature range for optimal growth.
Good luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Todd Cecil
Veterinarian
Published on October 29th, 2019
Thanks for reaching out. The lesion on the neck is probably due to pulling the head in repeatedly and traumatizing the skin on the shell edge. Putting a visual blind around the tank might be less stressful. Not sure if the white is exposed bone, infection or hard water deposit. Can you gently scrub it off? The eyes on the first turtle appear a little swollen and this could be due to poor water quality or vitamin A deficiencies. What does the diet include? Check and correct water quality. Review diet. If lesion grows, a veterinary visit is recommended.
Good luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on April 13th, 2019
This is no cause for concern at the moment. Turtles will routinely shed scutes (parts of the shell) as well as skin. Monitor for redness, lethargy, bleeding or any discharge. These are symptoms that should be addressed by your vet or a vet experienced in treating reptiles.
Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes. Many infections can be prevented by simply providing a clean tank.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT
Licensed Veterinary Technician
Published on October 27th, 2017
The white spots may be due to high mineral content in your water. Salt from water softening systems may also be responsible.
If you are feeding a varied diet (commercial sticks or pellets, live prey/protein, plant matter), maintaining water quality and proving adequate UVB light then there is likely no cause for concern. Monitor your turtles for soft shells, pitting, bleeding, redness, lethargy or decreased appetite.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Why does my turtle's shell look odd and have spots? Is it healthy?

Looks can be deceiving, but the shell looks fine in the picture provided. "Heathy" is more than just a clean shell though. He should be eating and defecating normally, basking regularly and swimming. There should be no redness or pitting on the shell. Provide clean water at proper temp, a basking spot also at proper temp, UVB lighting and an appropriate diet. You can review the article at the link below to confirm correct husbandry. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is there green algae growing on my red ear slider's shell?

Sometimes a bit of algae will grow if water quality is not optimal, there is too much light or you are overfeeding. You can gently scrub the shells with a soft bristled brush. Scrub tank walls and tank furniture then perform a partial water change. Rinse the filter media with some tank water, not tap water. Limit light to no more than 8 hours daily and remove any uneaten food every day. Maintain water temperature between 75F and 86F. Any warmer and it can foster algae overgrowth. You can refer to the article at the link below for information regarding care. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my red eared slider turtle have white spots on its shell?

Thanks for reaching out about Kelby and including photos. Can you gently scratch the white areas with your fingernail? Is so, probably mineral accumulations from the water and not a problem. If not, this could be keratin erosion from sub-standard water quality, infections, too cold of an environment. A veterinary visit would be recommended. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

Why does my red-eared slider have white patches on its shell?

Thanks for reaching out about Shelly and including a photo. The white on the shell could be hard water deposits that are not really harmful, but a new water source needs to be used. The white can also be exposed bone, which lies underneath the keratin of the shell. This could be due to dietary deficiencies, poor water quality that can erode shell and other problems. Without knowing the cause, there is no home remedy that can be recommended. Diet needs to include whole prey (fish), pellets and offer some vegetables (although many will not eat them). Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My red-eared slider hatchling's shell is discolored; why won't it bask?

Thanks for reaching out about your aquatic turtle. Water temperature needs to be kept warm for nutrient absorption. Without pictures, it is difficult to assess the shell. Insects are important for these young animals but all worms/insects need to be gut loaded for nutrients, as otherwise are bags of fat. High calcium levels are important for shell strength. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

What are these white chalky spots on my red eared slider's shell?

Thanks for reaching out about Squirt and including a photo. The two most common causes of this are mineral accumulations with hard water and exposed bone. Mineral accumulations you should be able to scratch off with a fingernail. Water source might need to be changed to filtered water or commercially available spring water. Exposed bone is usually due to poor water quality (high bacterial or algal loads) that erode the keratin layer. Water changes need to be made more often, but a veterinary visit is recommended as systemic antibiotics might be required. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my red eared slider's skin flaky & shell gray with algae?

There are many different things that could be causing these symptoms. It is hard for me to say too much about it without a photo or examining him myself. 1. shell rot 2. fungal disease 3. shedding (normal or abnormal) 4. mineral deposits I suggest you take Flash to a reptile vet for an exam so you can get a diagnosis and the proper treatment. This article may answer more questions for you: http://redearslider.com/shell_conditions.html Best wishes.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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