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Turtle Shell Color

22 16:13:06

Question
QUESTION: Hi, it's me again. I'm sorry I ask so many questions, I just want to give my RES the best life he can have. I heard of different ways to make a turtle's shell more colorful. Just so you know, I tried one out, and it worked beautifully! It was feeding your turtle koi or cichlid food, because they are high in carotene, which is supposed to bring out the colors. Not the entire diet, mind you, but just add it in. And he loves the food! Its been about two to three weeks since I started adding it to his diet, and red stripe has gotten brighter and the yellow stripes on his shell that were fading are sticking out and the outline of his shell is just a wonderful yellow, like someone drew on his with a marker! But I've heard of other things, such as feeding a very diverse diet, which I've always done so I don't know if it would make a difference. But things like something called a special turtle polish that you put on its shell, or that if you give it natural sunlight about two hours each day, its shell with grow more colorful. I was wondering if you heard of such things, and if they were bad for the turtle.The sunlight I'm sure will help, but I mean like a special polish that goes on it's shell. Is it safe for the turtle? And are there any other ways to make a brighter shell? I suppose this is more of a benefit for me than my RES, but I thought it would still be a knowledgeable question.

ANSWER: Hi Crissy,

That is interesting about the fish food... the next time I'm in a pet store I'll have to stop by that isle and check the ingredients.  As long as it does not contain active forms of vitamins (ie. not vitamin A but beta carotene) it should be fine.  

I've heard of turtle shell polish but I don't use it.  My only concerns would be that it may leech into the water and the turtle will swallow it.  I don't know what the ingredients are so it's hard to say.  

You are correct in saying it would be more for your benefit than the turtles.  I don't know if it would be harmful but my guess is that it's probably fairly safe.  

-Amanda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Beta carotene is bad for it? What's the difference?

Answer
No, Crissy, beta carotene is GOOD.  The difference is that the turtle's body takes beta carotene and turns it into vitamin A.  Some foods do not have beta carotene, they have the straight vitamin A.  This isn't good because the turtle can eat too much of it.  However, the beta carotene form is safe.  Your turtle cannot eat too much of that form.