land/box turtle

Question
QUESTION: My turtle has been getting an algae-like coating on the outside edge (3/4") of its shell plus the rest of the shell appears dry.  I use "Reptisafe" water conditioner.  Can you advise?
Also, can you tell me how to tell the gender and approximate age??
Thank you,
Deb

ANSWER: Hi Debbie,
Are you absolutely sure it is a land turtle? If it is and it has algae growing on the shell it maybe spending to much time in water or in a overly moist environment. Now for fresh water turtles this would be completely normal because the use it as a camouflage. Do you have a picture to attach or an exact name of the specie you have?

Nate
http://www.petshoptalk.com

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Woody   QUESTION: My daughter says it is an Ornate Wood Turtle.  I am not good with computers but I will try to send an attachment/pic.  Thanks Nate

Answer
Hi again Debbie,
I can see the algae forming around the rim. I can also see that it is to wet in the sand and the rim of the shell is dragging through the moisture. Try using a thicker layer of sand about 1" thick. You can use childrens play sand and that will be a lot cheaper than "calci-sand". You also need about a 60 or 75 watt full spectrum light bulb approximately 8 inches away from the bottom of the tank. That should fix the problem.

Nate
http://www.petshoptalk.com