Thanks for your interest. Turtles will regularly shed bits of skin, but I’ve noticed that Mata mata seem to do so more often…and they seem to go through “phases”, shedding quite a bit, then not at all. Many theories, ranging from normal growth to stress, inappropriate pH or water that is too hard. I’ve not seen any problems, except in one case where an underlying infection of the skin was involves. By “plastron”, do you mean the shell itself or the skin there?

Please send me some details re size of the turtle and tank, general set-up, substrate, diet, temperature, pH and so on and we can go over all. I may be able to refer you to a local vet as well, if that is what’s needed.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

I really need some help. I have a Mata Mata that I have had since early December and he seemed to be doing really well. Last week I noticed a large piece of what looks like shedded skin hanging off of his chin and now it has spread to his plastrons. Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks for the kind words; I’m glad the information has been helpful.

Many turtles shed scutes, which are this plates that cover the boney shell. The process is not directly related to growth (i.e. it differs from skin-shedding in snakes) and is most common in semi aquatic turtles that bask in the sun (sliders, painted turtles, etc.). One theory is that removing scutes covered in algae, etc. allows more UVB exposure and aids in raising temperature.

I’ve not noticed Mata Matas ever shedding scutes; Interesting that your alligator snapper does shed – I don’t recall seeing that. Alligator snappers are not known to bask often, but recent journal articles indicate that they do so on occasion.

Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

My Mata is getting bigger and bigger. I can tell from the old shell on his back. Would the old shell come off just like the elilgator snapping turtle?

Thanks for your time and your informations really helped me!

Thanks for the feedback. I wouldn’t use the stones in a mata mata tank. Matas expand their throats when feeding, creating a powerful suction that pulls water and fish into the mouth. They are very likely to suck in small stones as well, which could lead to an intestinal blockage (very common in past, also with Surinam Toads). In the wild, matas inhabit mud bottomed rivers, and likely have no mechanism to pass stones accidently ingested. In zoos, I keep them in rubber-bottomed exhibits or bare bottomed tanks.

Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Frank, this link is a kind of stone that I want to decorate my Mata mata tank .
Is it cool for my Mata mata? They are about 1mm-2mm and are very beautiful.

Link 1
http://tw.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/e36208815?u=Y2468345644

Link 2
http://tw.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/d54273719?u=Y2468345644

They were chosen from Yahoo auction. Really cool stone.
Thanks!

So sorry!…I had musk turtles on my mind after a recent email; thanks for getting back to me.

Mata Matas get all the calcium and other nutrients they need from fish; they are highly adapted to a fish-only diet. Best to provide a variety of species, but I’ve never seen any evidence of deficiencies other than the problems we discussed concerning goldfish. Matas do not need to bask in order to obtain Vit D.

Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Thanks, I appreciate that interesting info. Here goldfishes are considered “hardy”, but I agree with you that they are not; Weather loaches have become established in many areas outside of their native range including Spain (escaped bait) and the USA (maybe bait, but likely from the aquarium trade); they are even found in Michigan which has extremely long, cold winters.

Greenland…no turtles there! (although Leatherbacks do get that far north). Turtles do need minerals, esp calcium and vitamins; Musk turtles will get all they need from a balanced diet that includes whole fishes and a quality turtle pellet. Painted turtles and others that bask need unfiltered sunlight or a UVB bulb in order to manufacture Vitamin D, which is required for calcium absorption; musks can use Vit D present in the diet, however. Some folks leave calcium blocks or cuttlebone (sold for birds) in turtle tanks for their turtles to munch on. As far as we know, they do not absorb minerals through the skin. Not all turtles take it, and not necessary if you feed your musks well.

Please let me know if you need any further information. Good luck, enjoy and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Yesterday I went to Green Iland for vacation, and something about mineral bump into my head. Do turtles need mineral? If my tank is bare (no sand), would my turtle absorb enough mineral? Or should I put some sand in my tank? Hope you can help me!

Thanks Frank!