Softshell turtle

Water mold / skin fungal infection

SignsWhite cotton-like growth on skin or shell, sodden skin, red sores, loss of appetite

PreventionFrequent water changes, a dry basking area and sunlight, treat shell wounds immediately

Shell ulcers / skin ulcers

SignsShell edge or skin looks melted away, red pits, foul odor, bleeding

PreventionAvoid dirty water where bacteria multiply, no sharp rocks or driftwood, see a vet early

Metabolic bone disease (rickets)

SignsWavy shell edge, shell dents when pressed, trembling limbs, weak bite

PreventionFeed whole small fish and shrimp with bones; use calcium powder together with a UVB lamp

Pneumonia / respiratory infection

SignsFloats tilted at the surface, open-mouth breathing, nasal discharge or bubbles, noise from the snout

PreventionReduce the gap between water and air temperature; hibernate only healthy adults, if at all

Egg binding (dystocia)

SignsFemale tries to dig on land, strains, loses appetite, hind legs stop moving

PreventionKeep a moist sand nesting area at all times, prevent calcium deficiency; females lay even when kept alone

Parasites / digestive disease

SignsDiarrhea, worms in feces, refusing food, weight loss, persistent mud-like feces

PreventionDo not feed raw wild-caught fish or insects; get a fecal exam after purchase

Shell or skin lacerations

PreventionNo sharp rocks or broken heaters, do not keep multiple turtles together, do not catch with a net

First aidDo not return to water; apply pressure with clean gauze, keep warm in a dry container and see a vet the same day

Bite wounds to snout or neck

PreventionDo not house together, feed with tongs so fingers are not mistaken for food, do not startle through the glass

First aidApply pressure to bleeding; a damaged snout directly affects breathing, so see a vet the same day

Flipped onto its back

PreventionProvide deep water and sand to bury in, keep land-area steps low, and enough space to right itself

First aidTurn it over immediately. The flat shell makes righting hard and suffocation likely; if limp, keep warm and see a vet

Burns (heater)

PreventionFit a heater guard, secure it where it cannot be buried in sand, keep a thermometer in place

First aidCool the area with clean water without letting it dry out, apply no ointment and see a vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands that touched the body, feces or tank water

PreventionWash hands with soap after handling, never wash the tank in the kitchen, keep infants and toddlers away

Aeromonas infection

RouteDirty tank water entering a cut on the hand

PreventionWear gloves for water changes, do not touch the water with cuts, see a doctor if swelling appears

Leptospirosis

RouteTank water, mud or urine contacting wounds or mucous membranes

PreventionWear goggles and gloves when changing mud or sand; see a doctor for fever or muscle pain

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteTouching a turtle with skin disease or its tank

PreventionDo not handle sick animals bare-handed, do not share equipment, see a doctor for ring-shaped red patches on skin

Food

• Mainly animal protein: frozen small fish, shrimp, shellfish, insects; juveniles daily
• Adults every 2-3 days, roughly the size of the head as a guide
• Add softshell turtle pellets to supplement calcium

Water

• Tank water is the drinking water. Dechlorinate, use a filter and change water at least twice a week
• Except during hibernation keep water at 25-30°C and avoid sudden changes

Toys & play

• Fine sand deep enough to bury in, to recreate ambush behavior
• Add live shrimp or small fish to chase
• Add a gentle current and keep room to swim

Nest, bed & hideout

• A spot to bury in sand is the best hiding place
• Underwater tubes or the shade of driftwood; land area along the wall

Bedding & litter

• Fine river sand 5 cm or deeper; no angular gravel
• In a bare tank, use a pot or shelter as a hiding place instead
• Provide a moist sand area on land for egg laying

Cage / housing material

Glass aquarium or plastic tub, lid weighted down

Size & space

At least 4 x 3 times the shell length; 90-120 cm tank for adults

Layout

• Water depth 1.5-2 times the shell length, plus a shallow area where the snout reaches the surface
• Sand to bury in and a dry land area; UVB lamp above the land area
• Heater with a guard, placed where it cannot be buried in sand

Placement notes

• Avoid windowsills where direct sun spikes the water temperature
• Noisy or vibrating locations cause food refusal

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Loose in a room it escapes, falls, and the dry air damages its skin
• Bask on the in-tank land area or in a fenced shallow container under supervision
• Surprisingly fast on land; always keep within arm's reach

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureWater 25-30°C, land area around 32°C, never below 25°C in winter

HumidityAquatic, so humidity is not needed; the land area should be able to dry out

Summer & winter

• Summer: appetite drops above 30°C; change water, shade the tank, increase water volume
• Winter: heat with a heater; in captivity it is safer not to hibernate

Nail trimming

Usually not needed; worn down on land-area rocks. If overgrown and snagging, have the vet trim them

Brushing, skin & coat care

Do not scrub shell or skin. Cotton-like growth goes to the vet; at most rinse lightly with lukewarm water

Other care

Shedding as thin peeling skin is normal; see a vet for snout wounds or an overgrown beak

Protection from predators

• Crows, herons, raccoons: outdoors use a wire-mesh lid with weights
• Dogs and cats: do not let them reach into the tank
• Housing with large fish or other turtles causes bites and infection

Foreign-body ingestion

Swallows gravel and pebbles with food, causing intestinal blockage. Use fine sand and feed with tongs near the surface

Being stepped on

Stepped on while loose in a room, the soft shell is crushed and organs are damaged. Never let it loose on the floor; move it in a lidded container

Getting pinched

Snout or neck gets caught in gaps in the lid or land area and it cannot breathe. Secure the lid with no gaps and close gaps between the land area and the wall

Falls

Falling from a desk or tank stand cracks the shell. Support the belly with both hands, keep the head away from your body and carry only short distances

Escape

Climbs even vertical glass and pushes the lid open to escape. Weight the lid; if it escapes, search water sources, shadows and dark gaps, and rescue it before it dries out

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and quiet; the more you struggle, the harder it bites
2. Put the turtle in water with your hand; most open their mouths underwater
3. Without water, pour lukewarm water over the snout and corners of the mouth
4. If it will not let go, gently insert a wooden stick at the back of the jaw to pry it open

After the release

Rinse under running water for 5 minutes and apply pressure. See a doctor for deep wounds, finger deformity, swelling or fever

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Species, shell length, weight, water temperature and setup, diet, photos of feces and the affected area, onset date; confirm in advance that the clinic sees reptiles

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Response: touch the snout or limbs and see if it withdraws
• Breathing: movement of throat and snout; normally a few times per minute
• Heartbeat: fingertip at the base of the neck; extremely slow when cold

Stopping bleeding

• Apply pressure with clean gauze for 5 minutes or more
• Keep the wound out of water and dry on the way to the vet
• Do not use antiseptics or styptics on your own

Transport

• Lidded container lined with cloth; wrap heat packs in cloth, never apply directly
• No water; a wet towel keeps the skin from drying out