Recent content by DPtortiose

  1. DPtortiose

    T. hermanni outdoor enclosure (Season 2)

    So the end of summer is near and I've moved and added a fair bit so I thought to give this thread an update. Probably the biggest change is that I've finally put down a fence. It's made from plexiglass (2 mm thick) and goes 50 cm down in the ground in the deepest part and 30 cm in the most...
  2. DPtortiose

    Qeustion regarding certain breeder.

    Never bought something or spoken with the mentioned breeder (he doesn't visit any shows), but I've not heard anything bad about him.
  3. DPtortiose

    The CAUSE of Pyramiding

    I'm not aware that bone has growth plates, could perhaps explain a bit more what do you mean with this. I'm not totally sure I understand you correctly. ' I'm suggesting the bone shapes the scute, if you look at the X-rays you'll see that that the scute isn't misformed, it isn't thicker in any...
  4. DPtortiose

    The CAUSE of Pyramiding

    Depends, I think he's assuming that the stiffer (upper) layer of keratin gives in instead of the bone (as you do). Which seems more logical to me, since bone is denser and less elastic then the top layer of keratin. The scute will curve upwards pulling the bone with it. creating a hump. I was...
  5. DPtortiose

    The CAUSE of Pyramiding

    Very interesting research, it has some very interesting figures on the hardness of dry and wet beta keratin. It's a shame nothing is stated about the swelling of beta keratin, it's pretty much repeats the previous studies finding on alpha keratin. The question if beta-keratin swells and how much...
  6. DPtortiose

    The CAUSE of Pyramiding

    Because the homogeneous thickness must be maintained, therefore there are cells in the center that produce keratin to maintain this. Keratin wears down just like everything else, so growth must be present in the center. Or it would lead to exposed bone. Besides, hatchling scutes are noticeable...
  7. DPtortiose

    The CAUSE of Pyramiding

    That's because I read the very next sentence as well: "Beta-keratin cells produced in more central parts of scutes maintain a homogeneous thickness of the corneous layer along the whole scute surface." Not quite, the structure form cross-bonds with the matrix. That's what's allows it to remain...
  8. DPtortiose

    The CAUSE of Pyramiding

    This not true, I was wondering how and where scutes grow as well. Keratin growth is added near the 'hinges' of a scute, but there is keratin growth in the center of a scute as well. An abstract of the article that stated this: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15880409 I think it's a...
  9. DPtortiose

    The CAUSE of Pyramiding

    I'm not sure the rate of growth is affected. It's the erosion on the shell I'm revering too. The elements as the wind, rain and the sun, but also burrowing, walking underneath vegetation, probably the copious amount of bacteria and fungi living on the shell. Don't get me wrong, I know perfectly...
  10. DPtortiose

    The CAUSE of Pyramiding

    To give some context; as most people probably know we all exist out of cells. Every living creature is a very large collection of (specialized) cells working in unison. So cells need to know what itsneighbor is doing and make sure it stays next to its neighbor. Cells do this by building an extra...
  11. DPtortiose

    The CAUSE of Pyramiding

    Well actually it does not. First; the research clearly states that it's researching mammalian keratin structures. While it's likely that reptilian structures could work similar, it's still a bit to soon to state that it does. For example; the research you linked to is about α-keratin while the...
  12. DPtortiose

    Tortoises eating fruit

    So I've been wondering if this actually true. Don't get me wrong, I certainly agree that Testudo hermanni shouldn't be fed fruit on regular bases. But I doubt it destroys the gut flora. It's not like wild tortoises don't eat a copious amount of seasonal fruit in the wild. The poo of wild...
  13. DPtortiose

    Outdoor houses

    Keep in mind that tortoises can climb up such a fence and injure themselves. Either by falling down are getting their leg stuck. A 13 year old tortoise is unlikely to have very many enemies in the UK (beware of dogs), so an open top enclosure might be option as well. In any case do make a...
  14. DPtortiose

    Sand mixed with Coconut substrate..?

    This discussion has been done to death in other parts of the hobby. There were certain keepers who claimed keeping Bearded dragons on sand was extremely dangerous. This was a load of nonsense of course, natural ground types very rarely cause impaction. Improper husbandry does however, a...
  15. DPtortiose

    How much D3 ?

    To be fair, the above link is full of assumptions and guesswork. It is based on logical reasoning, but it's generalization and has a very limited use. Use a good UVB bulb or even better, house them outside in a proper outdoor enclosure. This is far more effective and beneficial for their health...
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