Shell looks dry and cracked

JoesMum

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That tort has bad pyramidding and was raised way too dry. The whole shell condition shows that as well as the pyramidding.

Get the care correct going forward and that won't go away, but will become less obvious as the tort grows

Have you read our care sheets for Sulcatas?

They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

How to raise a healthy Sulcata
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
 

Ms.Opal

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That tort has bad pyramidding and was raised way too dry. The whole shell condition shows that as well as the pyramidding.

Get the care correct going forward and that won't go away, but will become less obvious as the tort grows

Have you read our care sheets for Sulcatas?

They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

How to raise a healthy Sulcata
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
I have not read it, I will do. My husband found him about a week ago. We're still looking for the owner. Minwhile I want to do my best to take care of him. Thank you so much for the links!
 

Hutsie B

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He looks like an old tortoise depending on size. I am with the others, check out the care sheets and start fresh with the correct diet and moisture. It is good of you to take care of it.
 

Hutsie B

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Where are you located? Do you have the means to take care of this tortoise? It seems to me that the people who had him before you didn't know how to take care of it and it has suffered from it. Maybe you can keep it or have someone who can adopt it so it can start getting the care that will help, though not heal completely the shell and turtle.Just my thoughts.Hutsie
 

Ms.Opal

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Where are you located? Do you have the means to take care of this tortoise? It seems to me that the people who had him before you didn't know how to take care of it and it has suffered from it. Maybe you can keep it or have someone who can adopt it so it can start getting the care that will help, though not heal completely the shell and turtle.Just my thoughts.Hutsie
I live in Southern California. Im afraid you're right about the previous owners. I have a feeling they didn't want him anymore. If it were my lost baby,I would have flyers all over the area.
My husband and I talked about keeping him. If it doesn't work out for us ,will make sure we give him to a good home.
 

JoesMum

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I live in Southern California. Im afraid you're right about the previous owners. I have a feeling they didn't want him anymore. If it were my lost baby,I would have flyers all over the area.
My husband and I talked about keeping him. If it doesn't work out for us ,will make sure we give him to a good home.
Just be aware that your taking on a tort that will get to 100lb+ and cannot hibernate. They are bulldozers that go where they please and think nothing of walking through barriers as the most direct route to wherever they decide they want to go. They cannot be kept indoors which means a large outdoor enclosure and a heated nightbox in the colder months.
 

Ms.Opal

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Just be aware that your taking on a tort that will get to 100lb+ and cannot hibernate. They are bulldozers that go where they please and think nothing of walking through barriers as the most direct route to wherever they decide they want to go. They cannot be kept indoors which means a large outdoor enclosure and a heated nightbox in the colder months.
Yes I'm aware. that's why I'm not to sure if he's a right fit for us. He's been rearranging my outdoor furniture all over the place.
He has the whole back yard to himself .
I don't have a heat box since we weren't prepared.
We will decide by the end of this month what we will do. he also likes punking my pitbull around I'm afraid of him biting.
 

JoesMum

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He's been rearranging my outdoor furniture all over the place.
Typical sulcata :D

To be fair my Greek would do it if he could. Straight lines are he only route and if his head fits a gap then his shell should follow :rolleyes:


he also likes punking my pitbull around I'm afraid of him biting.
Dicing with danger :rolleyes: Dogs and torts don't mix at the best of times, bit messing a pitbull is not a good idea :(

Good luck whatever you decide to do :)
 

Tom

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That sort of rough growth is fairly normal when they grow up in our dry climate here.
 
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