Vet Q&A-Reptile

Do leopard gecko need a heat lamp my leopard gecko has a heat mat that is 88-90 degrees?

A heat mat will maintain proper ground temps but may not keep ambient temps within normal ranges for a leopard gecko. A basking light should be used during the day to mimic the natural environment. If nighttime temps drop too low, even with a mat, consider a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) that will produce heat without visible light.

When turtles shed their skin.......does it hurt them?????

Shedding is a perfectly normal physiological activity. The old skin is getting too small for the body as it is growing, and old skin does not expand, so new skin forms underneath the old skin and the old skin dries out and is only a dead shell. Getting rid of that dead skin shell is not painful, on the contrary, your turtle will feel a lot better afterwards as the skin is not as tight anymore. Imagine wearing a shirt that is way too tight...that is not very comfortable, is it? Take it off and put on a shirt that fits perfectly, and you will feel a lot better! This is how the turtle feels.

Hi, I'm taking care of my daughter's box turtle that she's had for almost 2 years. I've had her for 1 week now and she has completely buried herself in the substrate, you can't even see her and she has not come out for 2 days. She has had no water or food. Do I unbury her to check on her or how long do I leave her like this. I'm nervous being a first time turtle Nana. Thank you.

Thanks for reaching out about Talula. This could be one of a few things: (1) hibernating (if not heat support), (2) Stress and hiding (new home), (3) Illness. If there is no or inadequate heat support, I would assume she is hibernating since environmental temperatures are dropping. If she is now in a high traffic area (lots going on) she might be stressed and hiding. Try putting up dark paper on the outside of the terrarium to provide security. If you think she is sick, seek an examination with a reptile veterinarian. Good luck.

I have a red ear slider turtle that was given to my children as a gift. She looks to be an adult, but I cannot afford to get her the things need for her care such as the basking stand and filter for another 2 weeks. I have her in my bathroom tub, I also have a 40 gallon tank, but cleaning the water is becoming a problem with my asthma. I put her in direct sunlight during the day for about 3 hours to bask, but then she goes back in the tub. Her shell looks ashy, and I dont want her to die. Help!

You can get a water filter that will help maintain water quality, but regular partial water changes will still be needed. Feeding her in a separate container or removing any uneaten food promptly will help keep the water cleaner longer. Make sure she is getting a vitamin and calcium supplement in addition to a balanced diet. Offer fresh greens and vegetables, animal protein (feeder fish, nightcrawlers, etc) and a small amount of a commercial pelleted diet. You can use diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution and a soft bristled toothbrush to gently clean the shell daily. Allow for a 1-2 hour dry dock (out of water) after each cleaning. If the shell does not improve in a few days or if you notice soft spots or bleeding, then have her examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can review slider care at the link below. http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

My red eared slider turtle is hiding constantly staying under the rock and filter and he’s not sunbathing I’ve had him for 2&1/2 years and he hasn’t grown a whole lot, I’ve only been feeding him 3-4 “floating reptile sticks” every day since then. I’m worried about the little guy should I be feeding him more or something else also I don’t know if his tank is ideal for his species I’ve never met anyone else with a turtle and I haven’t had anyone to get advice from. P1: Turtle P2: food P3: tank

Thanks for reaching out about Sebastian and including pictures. Points of interest to investigate would be: (1) heat support in the water, (2) nutrition, and (3) water quality. If the water temperature gets too low, turtles will slow and stop eating (acting as if hibernating). The water quality needs to be kept clean to decrease bacterial and algal overgrowth. Regarding nutrition, the package of pellets needs to be changed every 3-4 months as vitamins degrade quickly. Offering diced vegetables and whole fish (goldfish, tetras) can provide exercise and nutrition. If Sebastian remains quiet and lethargic, a visit to a reptilian veterinarian is recommended. Good luck.

Can I put my red eared slider turtle in my pond in my yard? They hibernate during the winter while in the tank in my home. Will they be able to survive the winter in my pond outside?

Thank you for your question about your turtle. I think that housing your turtle in your pond during the warmer months would be a great idea, as long as you feel that the husbandry parameters that are required can be met. This will include appropriate water temperatures (often times supplemental heat is required for ponds), protection from predators (some owners will bring their turtles indoors at night), and a mixture of shad and sun (so that your turtle doesn't overheat). As far as your question about the winter, I would not recommend allowing your turtle to hibernate outdoors. Even though this is done in the wild, an artificial pond is unlikely to allow for the same parameters as a wild setting, and this may result in a dangerous situation for your turtle. You could continue to house your turtle in the winter and then add the outdoor housing in the summer as well. I hope this gives you a place to start, and thank you for using Boop by Petco.

My bearded dragon keeps her eyes closed constantly. She typically does not always keep them closed but for the past few days she has just been basking with her eyes completely closed. I tried to touch her and feed her, and she opens them momentarily but then goes back to keeping them closed. The new light is the same light I always use (100W UVB lamp). Even when the light is off, she keeps her eyes mostly closed. Sometimes even just has one eye closed...like the third photo

Thank you for reaching out about your beardie, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful. It looks like your dragon's beard is quite black in the photos - this can be an indication of underlying stress. This is especially true if it is black on a regular basis. Additionally, excessive closing of the eyes can be an indication of weakness or illness. Unfortunately, reptiles are very good at hiding their illness so it can be challenging as an owner to be able to recognize that they don't feel well until they are very sick. Often it is recognized when their appetite decreases or stops altogether. I would recommend having your dragon evaluated by a veterinarian. They can perform a thorough examination and can also discuss husbandry for your dragon. A large majority of issues that occur with reptiles are related to husbandry, and sometimes it is something that is seemingly minor that ends up causing a big issue. I hope this gives you a place to start, and that your beardie feels better soon.

I've got a few questions. First my two birds are having a hard time bonding with me how do I fix that? Second I think my hamster needs a bigger cage, picture below, 3rd my leopard gecko has a heating Rock does that mean I can leave his light off during the night? How often should I clean out my bunnies litter box? My birds are starting to pluck their feathers due to boredom we're getting toy soon but how do I keep it from becoming a Habit in the meantime? Thanks!

Thanks for reaching out. Sound like you have a full house. 1. Birds will often bond together but continue to work with them in a quiet environ, offering treats to win and re-enforce trust. Toys, the radio or tv, can all assist with boredom. Setting up foraging toys so birds need to spend time looking for food. 2. There is no such thing as too big a cage. 3. Heating rocks are rarely approved for use, as they will eventually become faulty and get too hot, potentially damaging the animal. A heat lamp is recommended. 4. The bunny's litter box should be spot cleaned daily and full clean weekly. If you can smell it you waited too long. Good luck.

I recently noticed these spots on the edge of my turtle's shell, is the shell rotting? If so, what can I do to help the shell get better? Also, is it normal for turtles to remain in a shaded area? I have a heating lamp for the tank, but most of the time, my turtle stays away from the light.

Thanks for reaching out about Tiny Tim and including photos. The pictures do not show signs of shell rot but the eyes appear to be enlarged. This could be due to a vitamin A deficiency, so check the diet and correct problems. If persists, a veterinary visit is recommended. Check and correct husbandry parameters. Good luck.