Seems like my tortoises shell is cracking

slickvic_94

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My tort had some chipping on her shell but some of these seem new and I don’t know whit it’s happening. Her shell isn’t soft and doesn’t smell bad. Her basking temp is around 90- 95 degrees and she also has her Uv light. I feed her everyday
 

Chefdenoel10

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My tort had some chipping on her shell but some of these seem new and I don’t know whit it’s happening. Her shell isn’t soft and doesn’t smell bad. Her basking temp is around 90- 95 degrees and she also has her Uv light. I feed her everyday
Hello and welcome to the forum!
Soooo glad you came!!
I am just guessing here but I am wondering if she has a little “shell rot”?
Or she could be a little dehydrated?
Does she get soaked in water at least three times a week?
I will call on the experts here for you…
Hang on!!!! And DONT GO ANYWHERE!!!
?❤️

@ZEROPILOT
@Yvonne G
@Markw84
@maggie3fan
@ZenHerper
 

slickvic_94

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Hello and welcome to the forum!
Soooo glad you came!!
I am just guessing here but I am wondering if she has a little “shell rot”?
Or she could be a little dehydrated?
Does she get soaked in water at least three times a week?
I will call on the experts here for you…
Hang on!!!! And DONT GO ANYWHERE!!!
?❤️

@ZEROPILOT
@Yvonne G
@Markw84
@maggie3fan
@ZenHerper
Yes I soak her everyday in the morning before I feed her.
 

slickvic_94

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Everything looks pretty normal to me.
There certainly isn't any shell rot.
What part did you say was "chipping"?
It just seems like there’s a few places where it’s chipping. I’m glad it isn’t shell rot
She already had a few chips on her shell when I got her
 

wellington

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Looks normal to me too.
But what is the soft shell? Top shell or bottom? Where does it feel soft, on the new growth lines?
What are the rest of the temps other than basking spot?
 

slickvic_94

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Looks normal to me too.
But what is the soft shell? Top shell or bottom? Where does it feel soft, on the new growth lines?
What are the rest of the temps other than basking spot?
Her shell isn’t soft, I’ve been checking it often. Her basking area is around the 90s and the rest of her enclosure is 68-70
I mist her substrate a few times a week
 

Yvonne G

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Yes, the new growth does look very dry and cracked. Do you have the tortoise under a strong Mercury Vapor Bulb? Maybe the light is too close???

You can lubricate the new growth with cold pressed coconut oil and see if that helps. Apply the oil and allow it to sit and penetrate/absorb, then after a few minutes wipe it off with an absorbent cotton cloth. And maybe raise the light/heat.
 

Sarah2020

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Definatly dry shell so something not right. When you say daily soak please explain what you do as this should give the hydration. As mentioned coconut oil is great to apply weekly. Check your tort has accessible access to water 24 x7 i.e in a flat rimmed dish it can walk and sit in. Check frest veg is provided wet to increase hydration. Next look at heat bulb... is it too low or too hot and drying the shell.
 

wellington

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Temps are too low. 75 to 80 during the day can go into the 60's at night.
I thought in your first post you said shell was soft. Glad it isn't
How about humidity? That should be 50-80%
 

slickvic_94

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Temps are too low. 75 to 80 during the day can go into the 60's at night.
I thought in your first post you said shell was soft. Glad it isn't
How about humidity? That should be 50-80%
Okay so I’ll raise my temps during the day
Humidity is 55%
Thanks for the help
 

slickvic_94

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Definatly dry shell so something not right. When you say daily soak please explain what you do as this should give the hydration. As mentioned coconut oil is great to apply weekly. Check your tort has accessible access to water 24 x7 i.e in a flat rimmed dish it can walk and sit in. Check frest veg is provided wet to increase hydration. Next look at heat bulb... is it too low or too hot and drying the shell.
I put her in a small plastic bin with water and leave her until she poops, then I change the water and leave her in there a bit more. I’ve read it should be 20 min.
The bulb is a 50 w floodlight and I have it positioned so the basking temp is around 95
I feed her fresh greens everyday
 

slickvic_94

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Yes, the new growth does look very dry and cracked. Do you have the tortoise under a strong Mercury Vapor Bulb? Maybe the light is too close???

You can lubricate the new growth with cold pressed coconut oil and see if that helps. Apply the oil and allow it to sit and penetrate/absorb, then after a few minutes wipe it off with an absorbent cotton cloth. And maybe raise the light/heat.
The bulb is a 50w flood light, I’ve tried raising it but then the basking area freno drops into the 80s
I’ll try the coconut oil tip
 

wellington

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I put her in a small plastic bin with water and leave her until she poops, then I change the water and leave her in there a bit more. I’ve read it should be 20 min.
The bulb is a 50 w floodlight and I have it positioned so the basking temp is around 95
I feed her fresh greens everyday
Be sure the water is kept warm the whole soak. A tort can be soaked longer then 20 minutes but not usually needed if hydration is good.
 

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