This particularly applies to anyone who has kept Stars from hatchlings, or has bred them...


Just wondered about your experiences of 'pyramiding' in Stars.
It is one of the very few species where it is usually said that 'pyramiding' can be natural, and not necessarily a sign of poor husbandry (as in virtually all other species of tortoise).

However - several well-known figures have pointed out that in wild populations, pyramiding is usually very infrequent. An American breeder and writer, Jerry D. Fife suggests that if given the option of a humid microclimate in a setup, pyramiding in captive Stars is hugely reduced, as evidenced in his trials.

Anyone have any photos of a Star they have which is particularly smooth?

What are your experiences? Have you had wide variation in levels of 'pyramiding' in your Stars?

These are 4".. WC -

Male



Female



7+" CH Female





A humid mocroclimate is vital to retain a smooth carapace.. as above and also evidenced in my 3 yr. old redfoots.. as another example.. and the list goes on. Thus proving [ once again and finally ] that protein is not the culprit.. low hide humidity is!

This post was last modified: 03-22-2008 06:34 PM by Redfoot NERD.

These are 4".. WC -

Male



Female



7+" CH Female





A humid mocroclimate is vital to retain a smooth carapace.. as above and also evidenced in my 3 yr. old redfoots.. as another example.. and the list goes on. Thus proving [ once again and finally ] that protein is not the culprit.. low hide humidity is!

Still haven't figured out why the 30 minute time limit on editing.. Josh didn't answer that.. ANYWAY -

Meant to say above.. A humid microclimate.. etc.

Thanks, those are perfect, just what i was looking for.

I've found that my hatchling rarely if ever goes into the humid hide (which has damp sphagnum moss inside) and only sleeps or hides in the dry hide.

Do you give yours the option?

How do you keep it humid? Someone suggested glueing a sponge to inside roof of hide, but I found that dripped on tortoise which it obviously didnt like.

Most don't realize that India has "Monsoon" seasons.

They get an option.. on hides. Spray moss with 'plant-mister'!

And mine live inside [ weather-based ] in the same building as the redfoots.. with temps in the mid - upper 80's.. ( sometimes higher ). AND high humidity.. which they are fine with as long as the temps are UP!

G. elegans are very sensitive to cool temps and high humidity!
G. elegans are very sensitive to high temps and NO/low humidity!

In other words.. just as many problems arise from too dry with high temps as too humid with low temps. Mid-range humidity [ and higher ] is what they will thrive well on AS LONG AS THE TEMPS ARE mid-80's OR HIGHER!

I have observed them outside in the summer 'basking' in low-90's when the humidity was above 70-80%. And have seen then sitting in their water dish before the water got too hot.. in the morning.

So "we" have to Q? this thing about G. elegans and high humidity. Don't let it get too cool for them.. and don't de-hydrate them!

FWIW

Have you seen the Jan. '08 Reptiles article? See the 'unedited' link in here.. http://www.turtletary.com/stars.html

Keep in mind I did not "start" the males.. they were started on too low humidity hides/environment! The female was a different situation and has maintained as you have seen.