Another Peeling Shell

Trishyha · May 6, 2019

Hello. Very new mom (in San Diego) to a tortoise I acquired from my dad in Los Angeles I researched on this forum on the Topic of peeling shell and read every single thread. It seems like it depends on the tortoise. So here is my challenge. I believe he’s a desert tortoise. He has been awake since April 1. I had built a really nice enclosure for him outside where he has both sun and plenty of shade. He eats really well. I don’t know how often they poop so I’m assuming that he’s pooping normally. Anywho,as I was cleaning his pen and giving him food I noticed the top of his shell is smooth, discolored and peeling (flakey). What should I do?

Here are pictures both individuals and stitched together for comparison.

Lyn W · May 6, 2019

Hi I don't know what that could be but have you done a search for something like shell rot?
You may find some answers there.
If he was a smaller tort I would say it looks like something with sharp teeth has pierced the shell, but it's probably not a bite.
Hope you find something to treat it and he's OK.

dmmj · May 6, 2019

Looks like a very old desert tortoise 2 me. ?
Is it only the very top of the shell?

Trishyha · May 6, 2019

dmmj said:
Looks like a very old desert tortoise 2 me. ?
Is it only the very top of the shell?

Yes. Only the top.

dmmj · May 6, 2019

Looks like an injury of some sort to me. Did you receive the CDT in such condition?

Yvonne G · May 6, 2019

I'm seeing what I believe are two separate things going on there. The scratches look like vermin/dog teeth, however, that's not a 'chew' spot, so I'm going with he's scratching himself under a bush. They really like to have their shell scratched and many will back up to a bush and do the Hootchy Kootchie dance as they rub back and forth on the bush.

The other thing, the pit: I've seen that type injury a lot in tortoises. People set the light too low and it burns the tortoise's back. Tortoises don't seem to have that 'quick' feeling that they're getting too hot. That part of the shell will always look like that. It's not causing him any pain or discomfort, however, having said that, it just might be the reason he's trying to scratch his back under the bush.

Trishyha · May 6, 2019

Yvonne G said:
I'm seeing what I believe are two separate things going on there. The scratches look like vermin/dog teeth, however, that's not a 'chew' spot, so I'm going with he's scratching himself under a bush. They really like to have their shell scratched and many will back up to a bush and do the Hootchy Kootchie dance as they rub back and forth on the bush.

The other thing, the pit: I've seen that type injury a lot in tortoises. People set the light too low and it burns the tortoise's back. Tortoises don't seem to have that 'quick' feeling that they're getting too hot. That part of the shell will always look like that. It's not causing him any pain or discomfort, however, having said that, it just might be the reason he's trying to scratch his back under the bush.

I was thinking it might be a scratched shell. He had got stuck when he first was introduced to his enclosure which is outside. Looking at it, to me it does look like it was burned. Could it be a sunburn?

Trishyha · May 6, 2019

Trishyha said:
I was thinking it might be a scratched shell. He had got stuck when he first was introduced to his enclosure which is outside. Looking at it, to me it does look like it was burned. Could it be a sunburn?

What would you recommend I do to help heal it?

Trishyha · May 6, 2019

dmmj said:
Looks like an injury of some sort to me. Did you receive the CDT in such condition?

When I received him he was sleeping. He’s has not had any interaction with any other animals. His enclosure has chicken wire over it.

Trishyha · May 6, 2019

dmmj said:
Looks like a very old desert tortoise 2 me. ?
Is it only the very top of the shell?

How old does he look?

lilly_sand99 · May 7, 2019

Trishyha said:
How old does he look?

You can't tell how long an animal is by it's weight or size. People can only tell you if it is a baby or an adult... because each tortoise grows at different rates and some grow slower than other just because of environmental conditions or genetics.

dmmj · May 7, 2019

It looks to be a fairly old tortoise but like said above can't really tell for sure how old

Tort baby momma · May 9, 2019

Yvonne G said:
I'm seeing what I believe are two separate things going on there. The scratches look like vermin/dog teeth, however, that's not a 'chew' spot, so I'm going with he's scratching himself under a bush. They really like to have their shell scratched and many will back up to a bush and do the Hootchy Kootchie dance as they rub back and forth on the bush.

The other thing, the pit: I've seen that type injury a lot in tortoises. People set the light too low and it burns the tortoise's back. Tortoises don't seem to have that 'quick' feeling that they're getting too hot. That part of the shell will always look like that. It's not causing him any pain or discomfort, however, having said that, it just might be the reason he's trying to scratch his back under the bush.

Do any safe lotions exist that you can put on their shell? (I don't think so but I thought I'd ask.)

Trishyha · May 9, 2019

Tort baby momma said:
Do any safe lotions exist that you can put on their shell? (I don't think so but I thought I'd ask.)

Good question. I don’t know. I’ve been cleaning it and apply a thin thin layer of Neosporin. It’s actually looking better.

Another Peeling Shell

Trishyha

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Lyn W

Well-Known Member

dmmj

The member formerly known as captain awesome

Trishyha

New Member

dmmj

The member formerly known as captain awesome

Yvonne G

Old Timer

Trishyha

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Trishyha

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Trishyha

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Trishyha

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lilly_sand99

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dmmj

The member formerly known as captain awesome

Tort baby momma

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Trishyha

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