Hatchling Cooter Skin Peeling

Question
Hi, we recently adopted a hatchling river cooter. He is in a 20 gal tank with 2 docks, uva/uvb bulb and spot lamp. He is currently being feed lettuce, pellets, crickets, and meal worms. Recently is skin has started to shed like a snake around his neck. What could cause this? Is it dietary or habitat related?

Answer
Hello Lisa, it is very normal and a very good sign that he is shedding his skin. It just means that he is growing. Just like snakes and lizards do turtles will shed their skin when new skin grows. They will also shed the scutes on their shells as well.

It normally happens when it gets warmer out but it can happen any time of year, is normal and healthy.

But no matter what, you can NOT help pull off the skin. It can open up the new skin causing a wound that can get infected and cause big problems. It may take some time for the skin to come off on its own but it will happen. Just let it be and the turtle will pull it off when its ready.

Good luck
Yexalen