New Growth? What do I need to change?
- Thread starter hyperturtle
- Start date
This tortoise needs a much higher humidity environment. Pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. Conditions have been, and are currently, too dry for this one.
Additionally, RFs do not need heat lamps. If you've been using a basking lamp, I would immediately remove it. This species needs over-all warm temps around 82-86, day and night, and high humidity, but with a relatively dry surface to prevent shell rot. These conditions are easily achieved and maintained in a large closed chamber type of enclosure, and likely also outdoors during your warmer weather in your part of the world. If you are taking this tortoise outdoors on warm days, be sure there is a lot of shade and cover, and run sprinklers early and often to keep humidity high when the tortoise has access to the desiccating sunshine. Use a thermostat to maintain the correct temperatures indoors for this tortoise.
A technique that I have learned and put into practice in recent years with other species is to rub some cold pressed coconut oil (from Costco) all over the carapace, paying special attention to the growth lines between the scutes. This will help smooth both the growth in drier conditions, like what I have here where I live in the CA desert. You can wipe off any excess with a cloth or paper towel after application. If anyone tells you, or you read somewhere, that this does harm to them in any way, you should know that is not a credible source of tortoise care info. It does not harm them, or "clog their pores", or "prevent their shell from breathing", or any other such nonsense. I know a guy in FL that slathers his tortoises shells with vaseline to prevent mosquitoes and help with smooth growth. He prefers the vaseline to coconut oil because the vaseline has a higher melting point in his perpetually hot climate. He's been doing this for decades and I can assure you, all of his tortoises are alive and well and producing lots of babies.
hyperturtle
New Member
Thank you! I’ve upped the humidity and have a heating mat underneath the enclosure. Would the long heat bulbs that go across the top be better for overhead heat & uvb than a cylindrical dome type uvb and/or ceramic heat emitter? I took your advice and applied some aloe because I have a plant to her shell. She will definitely be outside a lot this summer (safely)!
Tortoises should not be heated from underneath in indoor enclosures. Heat mats aren't safe, and they work against the tortoise's instinct to dig down into the cooler earth when they feel too hot.
RHPs, radiant heat panels, are a great way to maintain ambient temps in a closed chamber type enclosure for any species.
I don't know what aloe does to the shell. Never used that. I'm not sure that it will have the benefit you are looking for. I know that cold pressed coconut oil works, vaseline works, and the store bought turtle shell conditioner works because I've used all three. These are used to keep the growth areas between the scutes more moist for longer. I don't think aloe will do that because it dries out.
VERY IMPORTANT: When upping humidity for a RF, be very careful not to make everything too wet. RFs are prone to shell rot fungal infections in wet conditions. The trick to keeping them more humid when indoors is to reduce ventilation by having a large closed chamber with all the heating and contained lighting inside and reducing ventilation to keep the humidity from drifting away and into the room. this also makes it easier to keep it suitable warm. This type of enclosure allows you to use a thick layer of orchid bark which can remain damp underneath for humidity, but dry-ish on the surface where the tortoise's plastron is in contact with it.
hyperturtle
New Member
Okay, thank you so much! When I am able to make all the adjustments, I will post here!
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Hello, don’t suppose there are any updates with her set up?
Thought I’d pass some links along you might find helpful
For the indoor side of things, Hopefully this thread might be be helpful, I primarily made it for folks that I’d seen with adult red foots in already very small open set ups as a means of instant improvement, not every average new member can modify entire rooms or sheds. That said, I go over a greenhouse set up here with ceramic bulbs, but a modified room/shed with RHP(s) and oil heating would be much more optimal for an adult red foot, however if you’re needing an indoor set up, perhaps follow these steps and start saving for a better future set up. This housing thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for red foots(only way to maintain the humidity you need indoors), appropriately maintaining the humidity(they are prone to shell rot so this is important! No misters or humidifiers), safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, a diet list and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers
tortoiseforum.org
This includes different closed chambers, some work better than others
tortoiseforum.org
This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it, anything indoors will need to be a closed chamber style
tortoiseforum.org
this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying
tortoiseforum.org
Hope they can come in helpful!
Thought I’d pass some links along you might find helpfulFor the indoor side of things, Hopefully this thread might be be helpful, I primarily made it for folks that I’d seen with adult red foots in already very small open set ups as a means of instant improvement, not every average new member can modify entire rooms or sheds. That said, I go over a greenhouse set up here with ceramic bulbs, but a modified room/shed with RHP(s) and oil heating would be much more optimal for an adult red foot, however if you’re needing an indoor set up, perhaps follow these steps and start saving for a better future set up. This housing thread covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for red foots(only way to maintain the humidity you need indoors), appropriately maintaining the humidity(they are prone to shell rot so this is important! No misters or humidifiers), safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, a diet list and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers
Housing older red foot/cherryhead
Hello there! In this thread I’m going to go over an example of an appropriate indoor red foot/cherryhead enclosure. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure(especially the size these guys get!) I understand being from the uk myself, that some climate’s make it...
tortoiseforum.org
This includes different closed chambers, some work better than others
Visual inspiration
Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...
tortoiseforum.org
This includes lots of inspiration for an adult set up both indoors and out! The indoor bit has some good ideas to tackle indoor space whilst still providing the needed roaming room! Check comments too, I’m always adding to it, anything indoors will need to be a closed chamber style
Enclosure inspiration
Howdy folks! Hope everyone is well! As you all know, I’m a big fan of making threads that cater more towards visual learners like myself, I’ve really been wanting to create a thread full of adult enclosure inspiration for a while now, I’ve managed to find some great references over time! I do...
tortoiseforum.org
this one here is good to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying
Common keeping errors
Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...
tortoiseforum.org
Hope they can come in helpful!
