pyramiding?

dave'ssulcata

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This is Noah. he's 14 months old. I am worried he is pyramiding. can anyone help determine? photo.JPG
 
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T33's Torts

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Yes, your little guy has some pretty bad pyramiding. Nothing some heat and humidity won't fix.
 

mike taylor

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Yes yes humidity for sulcatas! Close in the top to hold the heat and humidity in . Get to 80% humidity and no lower than 80 º . You will see a change in your little guy .
 

dave'ssulcata

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tffnytorts said:
Yes, your little guy has some pretty bad pyramiding. Nothing some heat and humidity won't fix.

I just moved him into a new home with coco coir substrate- temp about 86 in cooler area and humidity around 65%. he was in a much drier environment previously. He eats grass and collard greens and I soak him 3 times a week. Anything I should change?

Thank you so much.


mike taylor said:
Yes yes humidity for sulcatas! Close in the top to hold the heat and humidity in . Get to 80% humidity and no lower than 80 º . You will see a change in your little guy .

Thank you so much!
 

Barista5261

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Warm soaks every day! That will help keep him hydrated and also help his new growth come in smooth.
 

Tom

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Dave,

Fighting an established pattern of pyramiding is a lot harder than preventing pyramiding in the first place. You will need a large closed chamber with 80+ humidity, a humid hide, daily soaks and frequent shell spraying several times a day. Even then it will likely take months to see results.

He also needs a lot more variety in his diet.

Here is a care sheet:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-79895.html

Diet sheet:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-76744.html

Common mistakes to avoid:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-45180.html
 

dave'ssulcata

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Tom said:
Dave,

Fighting an established pattern of pyramiding is a lot harder than preventing pyramiding in the first place. You will need a large closed chamber with 80+ humidity, a humid hide, daily soaks and frequent shell spraying several times a day. Even then it will likely take months to see results.

He also needs a lot more variety in his diet.

Here is a care sheet:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-79895.html

Diet sheet:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-76744.html

Common mistakes to avoid:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread-45180.html

I'm learning a frustrating lesson. I followed the advice of the so called exotic pet expert I got Noah from 12 months ago to a "T". he had me set up a low humidity, high temperature enclosure with calcium sand as a substrate. He seems like an idiot now. Now that Noah is my 4th child (and would not part with him for anything), I realize that the sale of these beautiful creatures should be restricted to people that really know what they are talking about. Noah's shell already was not smooth when I got him. This is my first Sulcata and this forum has been a wealth of knowledge. I feel horrible that he is in the shape he is in and will follow your advice about grass from my yard (I don't use fertilizer or pesticides and haven't for years). It seems almost hypocritical to say sales should be restricted and most people shouldn't own these beautiful creatures but I put a lot of work into Noah and I am still messing up. I am guessing the average owner doesn't bother with much more than food and water.
 

Dorrie Siu

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Try not to fret!! You were doing the best you could with what tools you had! It's not your fault, you were following what you were told.

But today is a new day! Rejoice in knowing that you came here and learning. If you didn't care, you would not have asked, so that in itself is commendable. And from this day on you are going to do even BETTER for your Noah. So feel better knowing that from now on, things are going to be better. :)
 

Tom

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Dave you are not alone my friend. I tried and failed for almost 20 years to produce a smooth tortoise. For almost two decades I read every book, talked to every "expert", breeder and vet, and followed all of their advice with ZERO success. It was a long road to get where I am, and I have learned much from countless sources and other people. The info given to you is the same incorrect info that has been given out for more than 20 years now. Its going to take a while to undo that damage. If we are casting stones at people who have raised pyramided tortoises by following seemingly credible expert advice, then let the first few stones be cast at me. Live and learn man. Now please go educate Mr. Low-humidity-calcium-sand about the African Rainy Season when sulcatas hatch. Who knows how many others he is still giving that same deadly advice to.
 

dave'ssulcata

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Tom said:
Dave you are not alone my friend. I tried and failed for almost 20 years to produce a smooth tortoise. For almost two decades I read every book, talked to every "expert", breeder and vet, and followed all of their advice with ZERO success. It was a long road to get where I am, and I have learned much from countless sources and other people. The info given to you is the same incorrect info that has been given out for more than 20 years now. Its going to take a while to undo that damage. If we are casting stones at people who have raised pyramided tortoises by following seemingly credible expert advice, then let the first few stones be cast at me. Live and learn man. Now please go educate Mr. Low-humidity-calcium-sand about the African Rainy Season when sulcatas hatch. Who knows how many others he is still giving that same deadly advice to.

Tom, I really appreciate your advice and support as well as the support of the other members. I will follow your advice with Noah and will also educate the expert that led me astray. Thank you for sharing your experience
 

txturtledude

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This site ROCKS!!! I had my "Tortoise Jerky Maker" setup and ready to go before I purchased a shiny, smooth Sulcata from Lance Lindgren (a forum member).

Fortunately for my tortoise, I wandered over to this website late one night after spending days reading and following outdated info from another site.

I immediately converted my open top Zoo-Med tortoise table into an enclosed chamber...

PVC plastic pipe and a clear shower curtain (approx $10)
RubberMaid Tub for a hidebox (approx $4)
Orchid Bark (approx $5)
Advice from Tom and others from Tortoise Forum...PRICELESS!!!
:D
 

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