AboutMark Adkins Expertise I will be glad to help with your tortoise- and turtle-related questions. My specialty is Red-foot and other Tortoises, but I can help with many aspects of turtle care.
Understand- I am not a vet, and the more information you can give me, the more accurate my answer can be.
(Because of the number of questions I get, I reserve the right to direct you to a good website that will help rather than re-inventing the wheel.)
Experience Tortoise and other reptile keeper since 1964.
Member of the Nebraska Herpetological Society.
Author of books and articles on tortoise care.
Currently own five Red-foot Tortoises.
Expert: Mark Adkins Date: 7/3/2008 Subject: lower carapace problem
Question hi, mark!
ten months ago, in an accident, I burned my turtle(RES) with hot water. Her leg and a part of the lower carapace were affected. The leg recovered and the damaged plates turned a bit different in colour.
Now, that same place reddens and on the plate above, a small ucler appeared (i don't know if the word is quite right). It seems as it has a tiny wound, but the turtle hasn't been injured ever since the accident.
What could this be? What should we do?
Answer If I understand the situation, your turtle's shell was burned with hot water, showed some discoloration, and now, an unknown amount of time later, there is evidence of another injury- like an open sore or ulcer?
This is pretty normal. The growth tissue in the shell was damaged by the burn, and as the shell continues to grow, the damage becomes more apparent. It should fade over time, assuming there is no other injury or problems.
You can also post it at http://www.turtleforum.com to find other ideas- especially if you can post photos as well.
