Dry Skin?

[Munkeyman180]

Hello,

My name is Josh, friend of Manny the RT. 

Manny is new to our home.  We've had him for about 2 weeks now.  Things are going great.  Manny is eating as much as I will let him (as much as he will eat for 20min in the morning and a small snack later on in the day).  He is very active.  His eyes are very bright and aware. 

The only thing that I'm concerned about is his skin on his neck.  It seems to be very dry and flaking/peeling. I know that most reptiles shed their skin, but I haven't been able find any info on RT's skin.  Although the skin underneath looks healthy, I just don't know if this is normal. 

I keep the humidity in his Terrarium between 40-60%.  60% during the day when the heat light is on and less humid at night when it's cooler. He as a little pool to soak in and drink from, which I have been changing daily.  He usually goes in there once or twice, daily.

I just want to give this little guy the best, longest life possible.  I'm sure he's had a weird/strange life up to this point...We got him from Petco.

I'm new to this and have found this site/forum very helpful.  Any advice you have is greatly appreciated. 

Thanks,
-Josh

[Didi]

Flaking neck skin is totally normal.  Don't worry about it unless you see red, raw skin showing.  It's tempting to feed too much cuz they are so cute when they are eating, but this can lead to serious health problems.  You might consider cutting back to one meal a day.

[Munkeyman180]

Thanks, Didi.

It's good to be able to talk with other RT owners. This forum is great and much better for advice then the Big Box stores.  They gave me those pellets and told me to only feed him those and to give him as much as he can eat. Good thing Manny knew better and didn't touch them. 

I know that I'm only supposed to feed him once a day, and it is fun to watch him eat.  The only times I give him more is when I let him out for some exercise.  I try to reward him with a smaller piece of lettuce. 

Manny Thanks you!

[ginababy]

Welcome Josh and Manny!  I hear you about wanting to feed them more!  My Miss Baxter has been wanting to come out of her home more than ususal and she goes over to the fridge because she knows that's where I keep her lettuce!  She waits there until I give her some!

[Plopmunker]

Hey I don't have pictures right now but my little RT Reptar has dry skin I guess, It's like a white patch that's like his cheeks are shedding... ??

[turtlefanatic]

My Miss Baxter has been wanting to come out of her home more than usual and she goes over to the fridge because she knows that's where I keep her lettuce!  She waits there until I give her some!

Aren't they smart?  Here's a picture of my Sasha waiting for the "big white box" to dispense some of those greens that she knows are inside. 

[Eunice]

That is so cute.  Mine head for the heat register and stand over it while they get warm.  They always seem confused when it turns off.  They look down walk around in a circle stand on it again and move to the next one.  As if the one they are on is broken.  I always laugh.  They are so cute.

[Didi]

@ Plopmunker
Hmm that doesn't sound right.  Is the white patch on his cheek?  Can you try and take a picture?

[Plopmunker]

it cleared up, my cam is old and its blurry 2 alls good tho. Tryin to find a vet in lycoming pa that knows about these guys...