Shedding

Question
Hi there! One of my turtles shell turned very dark brown and you could barely see the stripping. She has now lost several shingles? Do they shed? Is she sick? Our other turtle is the same....

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Amie,

Sorry to be slow in getting back to you.  Scute shedding is normal for aquatic turtles.  The shed scutes will more more or less clear, and you may see them sticking up a bit before they shed off.  As long as you're not seeing anything like patchy discoloration, white/red spots, soft areas, oozing, odor, etc. it's most likely normal shedding.