Is my tortoises shell okay?

COmtnLady

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2020
Messages
4,474
Location (City and/or State)
Colorado
The only problem I see is that it looks like his beak could use a trim. Could you post a clearer picture of his face, please.

Yes, there is a chip out of the shell, but it doesn't look like there are sharp edges or points. If there were, you just take a nail file and file the sharpness off.
 

RandyTortoise

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2025
Messages
625
Location (City and/or State)
Naperville Illinois
It's front shell looks cracked
That’s ok. I wouldn’t worry about it. The shell is very much like a fingernail or a horses hoof. You are ok with that minor crack. As long as a crack didn’t harm the main part of his carapace but just the leading edge you are ok. The flake on the side is fine too. Don’t worry. He is ok!
 

g4mobile

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2018
Messages
237
Location (City and/or State)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
The beak definitely needs a trim. Put some "shell conditioner" on the shell, which can be purchased on Amazon or many pet shops. It's coconut and avocado oil. The shell might be getting a bit too dry. Does he have a good water supply? Or, are you still doing soaks at all?
 

Tort25

Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2025
Messages
57
Location (City and/or State)
ballwin,Mo
I soak him occasionally but I heard i shuld too much how often shuld I soak him?
 

COmtnLady

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2020
Messages
4,474
Location (City and/or State)
Colorado
There's no such thing as too much soaking - pretty much. A half hour or longer, at least every other day, maybe every third day. In water as deep as where the top an bottom of shells comes together. Be sure to keep it warm the entire time (which means watching and replacing it as it cools down). Every day is fine, too, but not as necessary for an adult as for a youngster.

Soaking is good for so many reasons. Not only does it keep them hydrated, usually they scrabble around, so get extra exercise, many go potty in the water so it helps with that, too, and it helps keep their core warmed up.
 

Tort25

Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2025
Messages
57
Location (City and/or State)
ballwin,Mo
There's no such thing as too much soaking - pretty much. A half hour or longer, at least every other day, maybe every third day. In water as deep as where the top an bottom of shells comes together. Be sure to keep it warm the entire time (which means watching and replacing it as it cools down). Every day is fine, too, but not as necessary for an adult as for a youngster.

Soaking is good for so many reasons. Not only does it keep them hydrated, usually they scrabble around, so get extra exercise, many go potty in the water so it helps with that, too, and it helps keep their core warmed up.
Will do
 

Tort25

Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2025
Messages
57
Location (City and/or State)
ballwin,Mo
There's no such thing as too much soaking - pretty much. A half hour or longer, at least every other day, maybe every third day. In water as deep as where the top an bottom of shells comes together. Be sure to keep it warm the entire time (which means watching and replacing it as it cools down). Every day is fine, too, but not as necessary for an adult as for a youngster.

Soaking is good for so many reasons. Not only does it keep them hydrated, usually they scrabble around, so get extra exercise, many go potty in the water so it helps with that, too, and it helps keep their core warmed up.
One other question can my tortoise shell heal from the cracks?
 

The_Four_Toed_Edward

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2024
Messages
6,320
Location (City and/or State)
Finland
The beak definitely needs a trim. Put some "shell conditioner" on the shell, which can be purchased on Amazon or many pet shops. It's coconut and avocado oil. The shell might be getting a bit too dry. Does he have a good water supply? Or, are you still doing soaks at all?
Extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil works for this purpose.
 

New Posts

Top