Shell Rot
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.
 |
This Eastern box turtle has old rot |
| The plastron of this turtle shows extensive rot. (right) |
 |
 |
Another Eastern with some scars. (left) |
| Another view of the plastron. (right) |
 |
Following are pictures of extensive
shell rot
that required treatment
 |
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) |
 |