Skin discoloration/desquamation

[Shaif]

Hi Friends!

Can you help me identify what's happened to Zeus's little legs? Is this normal shedding, or is there a problem? He is on pure coco coir, sterilized and cooled prior to use. His temps are perfect (took forever to get them right). Humidity is 60-75 daytime and 80-90% night. This will improve once my ordered closed system enclosure arrives (still 2 months away). I've ordered the largest Animal Plastics cage, the T70.

I know the pics aren't great. He didn't appreciate the positioning. He seems to have patches of lighter colored skin on his legs. One of them has since peeled very slightly.

He's acting normally, but he's always been a bit slower than other babies. He eats much less than others also, but he has always been this way.

No chance of bullying. He's in his own enclosure. I spot clean twice daily. There are a few rolly-polly bugs in his substrate, nothing else that I'm aware of.

Thank you in advance for any help! I love this little guy. I have a vet appointment on Saturday, but there are no tort or even herp specialists around me. It's also very very cold here and I would like to avoid stressing him if possible.

 

[Yvonne G]

Judging from all the staining on the plastron, I'm guessing he's been dyed by the substrate.

 

[Shaif]

Judging from all the staining on the plastron, I'm guessing he's been dyed by the substrate.

Yes, thank you Yvonne. I see discoloration too. But the skin seems swollen/edematous at the light patches. Almost like a skin blister. I'm wondering if his shell is rubbing his legs? Could this be something to do with the joints/connective tissue?

Also, do I need to worry about the discoloration? It's eco earth substrate boiled and cooled.

Thank you so much.

 

[Shaif]

Here are more pics (hopefully better). I think there is some edema. Please help!

 

[Digger&Blinky]

What type of tort is he maybe its too humid for him in there?

 

[Shaif]

That is a really great thought. He's ibera Greek, Testudo Ibera. I do keep the coco coir substrate fairly wet, as I try to keep humidity upwards of 70%. He 6 months old, so I've been keeping humidity high.

Have you seen this problem with over-wet substrates? That would be an easy thing to fix.

Thank you!

 

[Digger&Blinky]

Yes its kind of like our feet if you dont dry your feet after a bath they peel

 

[Shaif]

I feel so absolutely silly for not even realizing that. I think you are absolutely correct! Thank you so so very much. I'm letting it dry out currently. Do you think it's painful? This guy is my sweetheart. I'm so sad I made him have this!

Thank you tons.