Front part of my Sulcata’s beak looks like it chipped.
- Thread starter TortoiseOnBike
- Start date
This seemed to happen just over night, I’ve thought about mouth rot, but I’m not sure I need help. It looks kind of like splintered wood where the chip is, I’m not sure if it’s physical damage from hitting the walls or just from trying to eat something in the yard. He’s eating romaine normally and I’m soaking him right now I type this. There isn’t a foul smell coming from his mouth, and his poop smells pretty normal. Yesterday, he had his penis out twice at different times and just a few minutes ago today, it looks normal but I’m wondering if that behavior has something to do with his beak. Since its been getting hotter he has been more active and he sometimes hits the walls or pots with his shell or face. Anything would be helpful and some ideas on what to do would be gratefully appreciated ASAP thank you
I'm not as knowledgeable about Sulcata as other members, but it looks ok to me.
It doesn't look like "rot", but there is an uneven-ness, like its chipped a little. Take a nail file and smooth it a bit.
Let's see what some of the others think.
@Yvonne G
@JoJosMom
@Tim Carlisle
It doesn't look like "rot", but there is an uneven-ness, like its chipped a little. Take a nail file and smooth it a bit.
Let's see what some of the others think.
@Yvonne G
@JoJosMom
@Tim Carlisle
It seems like the part that is chipped is sensitive for him whenever I touch it, I’m not sure if I should try to file it down because I don’t want to hurt him.
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2013
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- 5,100
Your tortoise does not have mouth rot. The picture shows a very minor chip in the beak. It will not hurt the tortoise to smooth it off, either with a nail file or some nail clippers.
Not mouth rot at all. If he will allow you to touch his face, you can get a nail buffer and gently smooth the jagged areas. If he will not let you, you may want to take him to the vet to have it done. It isn't an emergency but that area will likely get caught on something and break off more, which can potentially become a much larger problem. This is something common in large captive Sulcata's. Promote naturally grazing and eating on rough surfaces to help keep the beak trimmed down. It may be sensitive but you're not going to hurt him. Be gentle and he will be just fine.
Rocco's family
Member
This happened to my buddy, too. His mouth looks lopsided now 
but it doesn't seem to interfere with his eating or drinking and doesn't seem to be painful. I'm trying to feed him off a rougher surface now, in addition to his grazing, to see if it helps wear it down. Let me know if you try filing and if so how it works!
but it doesn't seem to interfere with his eating or drinking and doesn't seem to be painful. I'm trying to feed him off a rougher surface now, in addition to his grazing, to see if it helps wear it down. Let me know if you try filing and if so how it works!
