Red Foot Tortoise from Expo- possible pyramiding

DashingTaz

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Hello All,

I bought a Red Foot tortoise at an Expo yesterday. I believe it has possible pyramiding.
I have a lot of work to do to make Barry's environment healthy.

Attached are photos of the little guy. Advice on all aspects will be greatly appreciated, I just want him to be happy and healthy. Metabolic Bone Disease is no joke!

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ZEROPILOT

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Welcome.
He is showing some pyramiding.
Also, the substrate is all wrong in that it can not retain and provide humidity.
What type of lighting are you using?
Please read our Redfoot care section.
 

DashingTaz

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I am going to pick up coco soft after work today
150W UV light- Zoo Med power sun

With the proper diet and habitat will the pyramiding subside?
 

PJay

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That last picture looks like he is helping push down the accelerator. "I want to go faster!"
 

ZEROPILOT

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I am going to pick up coco soft after work today
150W UV light- Zoo Med power sun

With the proper diet and habitat will the pyramiding subside?
New pyramiding will stop and what is there will look smoother as the rest of the shell grows in without it over the years.
Two of my 7 adults show some of it. It's no big deal.
 

DashingTaz

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What is the best temperature for the water that I will soak him in (I think its a he)?
How do you all feel about carrots?
 

saginawhxc

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Mine was adopted last fall from a similar situation and has since nearly doubled in size and all new growth is coming in really nice and smooth.

So yeah, you can't reverse it, but you can address the issues that caused it and fix the problem.

Good luck.

If you are curious about reading a little about the tortoise I speak of. http://www.tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/147882/
 

Korall

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Definitely some pyramiding going on, though I've seen worse.
It shouldn't really be a problem if you give it a good home.
 

DashingTaz

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Okay People! Here are some updated photos of Barry/ Elliot ( I cannot decide on a name). I am still working on regulating a constant temp for him, but the humidity and daily baths/showers have been going well.
 

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Korall

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Okay People! Here are some updated photos of Barry/ Elliot ( I cannot decide on a name). I am still working on regulating a constant temp for him, but the humidity and daily baths/showers have been going well.

Shouldn't he have a hiding place in his enclosure?
 

Stormy Bluu

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Thanks so much for wanting to get this guy healthy! I'd probably recommend getting him a humid hide. An easy and inexpensive hide is to get a rubbermaid tub, cut a door in the side , and flip it over. This will also help with the humidity for him.
 

Kapidolo Farms

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I am going to pick up coco soft after work today
150W UV light- Zoo Med power sun

With the proper diet and habitat will the pyramiding subside?
That is a bit too much.

Pyramiding can become obscured with good growth, but what is there is there.

Redfoots (all of the more forest type species) seem to do well/best with an ambient range of heat with a day night differential. The water bowl should be recessed the idea of climbing UP into water is not a common sense thing for a tortoise, and the tortoise should be able to fully enter the water to sit and defecate.

Coco husk chunks, hardwood mulch (cypress or cypress blend), orchid bark are all well accepted substrates that can be managed well when kept mostly moist to wet.

For UV on the light a straight tube florescent will be sufficient. I often suggest T5 HO, you can get a good fixture in a home gardening - hydroponics store or an online source and then get a ZooMed or Arcadia tube.

There are several folks here who would be much more expert on Redfoot care, listen to them.
 

DashingTaz

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Okay so I have had Elliot (changed from Barry) for over a month now. He is no longer in the glass tank! I have him set up in a 55 gal Rubbermaid with a hide and humidifier.

I am still extremely nervous about MBD. I attached more photos, taken yesterday, Check him out and let me know what you think
 

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Anyfoot

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Okay so I have had Elliot (changed from Barry) for over a month now. He is no longer in the glass tank! I have him set up in a 55 gal Rubbermaid with a hide and humidifier.

I am still extremely nervous about MBD. I attached more photos, taken yesterday, Check him out and let me know what you think
What set up did you settle on. Can we see your enclosure please?
 

MPRC

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If I had to bet I'd say Barry/Elliot is a Bailey/Ellen. - I have some reds that have pyramids like yours, in time the new growth will come in smooth, but until then you have a little pinecone. Keep up the humidity!
 

DashingTaz

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I was looking at the shell and anatomy, I believe you are correct! I have an ELLE! Pictures to follow later...
 

MPRC

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Congrats, it's a girl!

Also I was going to mention yesterday, I have one who is similarly pyramided and even after a year with me in proper conditions i haven't seen much change. Its not a quick process, that's for sure.
 

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