~ PAINTED TURTLE ~ (Chrysemys picta) shedding scutes

[Irishwhistler]

~ Painted Turtle ~ (Chrysemys picta)

I captured this photo of a Painted Turtle basking in the sun this afternoon while shedding its scutes, a keratinous layer coving its shell which is made up of 60 bones.

Mike

 

[Mike Drone]

I did not know turtles shed. Nice capture. =]

 

[Irishwhistler]

I did not know turtles shed. Nice capture. =]

Thanks Mike.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Space Face]

Looks a fine fellow. Decent composition.

 

[Winona]

Very nice!

 

[Irishwhistler]

Very nice!

Thank ye Winona.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[K9Kirk]

Cool pic for sure but now I'm curious, what's up with it's shell? It looks like sections of it are peeling. I don't know much about turtles but I've never seen that before.

 

[Irishwhistler]

Cool pic for sure but now I'm curious, what's up with it's shell? It looks like sections of it are peeling. I don't know much about turtles but I've never seen that before.

Kirk,
Read the test regarding its shedding its scutes. T'is how a turtle grows its shell.

Cheers,
Mike