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Box turtles as a rule are very resilient. Shell rot
seems to a rare occurrence. However, it does pop up from time to time.
By far the most common cause in captivity is unclean
habitats combined with cool temps. In the wild the main cause seems to
be from frost damage.
The following pictures are of healed shell rot from
wild box turtles. Click on the picture to view it full size.
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This Eastern box turtle has old rot visible along
the side of the carapace. (left) |
| The plastron of this turtle shows extensive rot. (right) |
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Another Eastern with some scars. (left) |
| Another view of the plastron. (right) |
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Following are
pictures of extensive shell rot that required treatment
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The bone has rotted away. All the dead tissue has been
removed. This turtle is under the care of Pamela Hurley. (Left) |
| After 2 weeks the shell is starting to heal. Eventually
the shell will grow back. (Right) |
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