My baby red eared slider's shell is losing color and is somewhat becoming a dull green color?

Question

My baby red eared slider's shell is losing color and is somewhat becoming a dull green color?

Answer 1

Water turtles are basking semi-aqautic reptiles, and need sunlight.  Are you providing a good UVB bulb for him?

With adequate lighting, his colors should be crisp and vibrant.  Shell colors of all hatchlings dull down as they age, and patterns/spotting becomes more faint.  So, not knowing the age of your turtle; it's possible he's just maturing (if the colors on his skin areas are still bright).

Diet is very important.  Here is some basic info. you might find useful:

In the wild, red-eared sliders eat both animal and plant sources of food. However, juveniles are mainly meat eaters but still love their greens.

In captivity, the diet for juveniles should consist of a commercial aquatic turtle pellet and small feeders guppies; goldfish, or minows. Hatchlings and juveniles should be fed on a daily basis. Their diet can be supplemented with live fish of an appropriate size (guppies/goldfish/minnows); tubiflex worms and earthworms. Plant matter, in the form of leafy greens (kale and turtle safe aquatic plants) or even finely chopped mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, green beans, etc), can be offered once weekly but may not be readily accepted until they grow older.  Hatchlings are hungry and curious.  Usually the tempting colors will draw them to explore and taste new food items.

Placing a bird cuddle bone in the bottom of the tank is a good source of calcium, but can cloudy the water.

If you feel that you are meeting the turtle's habitat/dietary/lighting needs; then I would recommend tanking the RES to a reputable reptile vet.

I hope this has been helpful.

Answer 2

That happened to mine. It just means they are growing out of the color and maTURING. If its shell is soft though then take it to a vet because it's a illness.

Answer 3

Red-ears are only cute and colorful for about a year, then grow into more plain-looking turtles. If this is what is happening to you, it is normal.

However, poor diet and housing can cause discoloration as well. Try http://www.redearslider.com for details.