Seeing a difference?

Heather B

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Hi all. Thanks to this forum, I have recently ( in the last two months) made some habitat and diet changes with my two RF's. I increased humidity and heat along with offering more Mazuri in their diet. Both have some pyramiding. How long before I notice improvement in shell? Mostly to let me know if I'm getting it right now.
 

Anyfoot

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Hi all. Thanks to this forum, I have recently ( in the last two months) made some habitat and diet changes with my two RF's. I increased humidity and heat along with offering more Mazuri in their diet. Both have some pyramiding. How long before I notice improvement in shell? Mostly to let me know if I'm getting it right now.
Hi Do you have some photos of your enclosure and torts?
 

Heather B

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Turtlepete

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Enclosure is very nice, as long as its maintaining a steady 80-90% humidity. Even as adults, some pyramiding will be evident on those tortoises. Over the years, new growth will be smoother, but at this point there is no chance of them ever being completely smooth. The important part is that you corrected their husbandry now, so all should be well. The addition of Mazuri to their diet may increase growth rate.

What kind of diet changes have you made?
 

Heather B

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Enclosure is very nice, as long as its maintaining a steady 80-90% humidity. Even as adults, some pyramiding will be evident on those tortoises. Over the years, new growth will be smoother, but at this point there is no chance of them ever being completely smooth. The important part is that you corrected their husbandry now, so all should be well. The addition of Mazuri to their diet may increase growth rate.

What kind of diet changes have you made?
More greens. Less fruit and Mazuri once a week. Also they get a pinky mouse (two for the bigger one) once a month. They LOVE the mice!
 

Anyfoot

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More greens. Less fruit and Mazuri once a week. Also they get a pinky mouse (two for the bigger one) once a month. They LOVE the mice!
Looks nice and the torts look nice too.What size are they? What temperature and humidity do you have now? What is the substrate? You might be better trying to dig the water dish in lower so its nearly level with the substrate for easier access. It maybe the photo that's making it look higher than it really is.
 

Turtlepete

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More greens. Less fruit and Mazuri once a week. Also they get a pinky mouse (two for the bigger one) once a month. They LOVE the mice!

Sounds good. You can offer the Mazuri more often then that if you please. Mine get it every other day with every meal. I get good results from it and the animals love it.

Do you have a hygrometer? Are you sure its maintaining high enough humidity in there? You might consider finding a way to cover the top. A sealed enclosure will maintain the right level of humidity much better then an open-topped one.
 

Heather B

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Sounds good. You can offer the Mazuri more often then that if you please. Mine get it every other day with every meal. I get good results from it and the animals love it.

Do you have a hygrometer? Are you sure its maintaining high enough humidity in there? You might consider finding a way to cover the top. A sealed enclosure will maintain the right level of humidity much better then an open-topped one.
I have the enclosure covered with plastic always but for the pictures. No hygrometer but keep substrate damp always offering a dryer area to go to if they please.
 

Heather B

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Looks nice and the torts look nice too.What size are they? What temperature and humidity do you have now? What is the substrate? You might be better trying to dig the water dish in lower so its nearly level with the substrate for easier access. It maybe the photo that's making it look higher than it really is.
Substrate is mainly rainforest mulch. The larger, female is about 8 inches and the smaller,male is about six. Water dish is nearly level and rocks are raised but flat to climb on.
 

crimson_lotus

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I've had my Red Foot for about a year, when I got her she had pyramiding already. Still does in an 80-90% humidity environment, she has the right varied diet, and I can't really tell if there is any improvement from day 1 to now.I don't think her pyramiding will ever really disappear completely, especially at 8 inches (mine is about 9) since they on average can grow to about 12, maybe up to 16 from what I've heard.

The first picture of my tortoise is from the first day I got her, 2nd one I took just now.
 

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Anyfoot

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I think you have it sussed it, you seem to be doing them justice. What do you have for UVB. Do you have enough space for another hide. Just in case they want some alone time from each other. I noticed sometimes mine like to go off on there own.
 

Anyfoot

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I've had my Red Foot for about a year, when I got her she had pyramiding already. Still does in an 80-90% humidity environment, she has the right varied diet, and I can't really tell if there is any improvement from day 1 to now.I don't think her pyramiding will ever really disappear completely, especially at 8 inches (mine is about 9) since they on average can grow to about 12, maybe up to 16 from what I've heard.

The first picture of my tortoise is from the first day I got her, 2nd one I took just now. It can depend on the angle too =/
Yours looks nice. I have one at nearly 11". The other day a friend brought some of her redfoots to my house, one was 15". I must admit this opened my eyes somewhat, to see how big he was. The difference between 11 and 15" is unreal. That 15" torts neck was the size of my 11" torts head. Made me realise how much space they do need.
 

crimson_lotus

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Yours looks nice. I have one at nearly 11". The other day a friend brought some of her redfoots to my house, one was 15". I must admit this opened my eyes somewhat, to see how big he was. The difference between 11 and 15" is unreal. That 15" torts neck was the size of my 11" torts head. Made me realise how much space they do need.

Thanks! I'm really proud of how healthy she is now, she had pneumonia in the first picture. She grew 4 inches between now and then!

Can't wait to double the size of her enclosure this summer, it stinks not being in an area where they can be outside for most of the year. I think 12 is average and anything larger is uncommon. Not sure though.
 

Anyfoot

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Thanks! I'm really proud of how healthy she is now, she had pneumonia in the first picture. She grew 4 inches between now and then!

Can't wait to double the size of her enclosure this summer, it stinks not being in an area where they can be outside for most of the year. I think 12 is average and anything larger is uncommon. Not sure though.
Yes he was a specimen, mine when I'm ready for him. :) So how long have you had her?
 
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