Pyramiding is the excessive upward growth of the scutes on a turtle’s shell. As a result, each scute becomes pyramid-like in shape, or “bumpy.” This condition is more common in tortoises than aquatic turtles, but it is still a possibility for red-eared slider.

Symptoms

• Bumpy shell

Cause

• Overfeeding
• Excess protein in the diet
• Excess fat in the diet
• Not enough calcium
• Not enough UVB
• Not enough exercise
• Genetic defect

Research has proven that calcium/phosphorus imbalance does not cause pyramiding in red-eared sliders.

Treatment

Pyramiding can’t be reversed, sadly, but you can prevent further damage. Read the ReptiFiles Red Eared Slider Care Guide, evaluate your husbandry, and correct any deficiencies.

References

Pyramiding. (n.d.). Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital. Retrieved November 11, 2020, from https://azeah.com/tortoises-turtles/pyramiding

Stancel, C. F., Dierenfeld, E. S., & Schoknecht, P. A. (1998). Calcium and phosphorus supplementation decreases growth, but does not induce pyramiding, in young red-eared sliders, Trachemys scripta elegans. Zoo Biology, 1, 17–24.