Advice please (unnatural shell growth)
- Thread starter JennyG
- Start date
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum!
You are correct, the shell doesn't look healthy. What kind of UVB and calcium supplementation are you using? Is the tortoise able to lift the back of it's shell while walking?
You are correct, the shell doesn't look healthy. What kind of UVB and calcium supplementation are you using? Is the tortoise able to lift the back of it's shell while walking?
Hello!
Can you tell us more about his diet?
The UVB bulb is probably a coiled compact lamp? Probably, it doesn't provide sufficient UV level and should be replaced with a T5 tube lamp (like Arcadia ProT5 kit or Reptile Systems EcoT5 unit).
Can you post a photo of his enclosure? Do you have earlier photos of his shell?
Can you tell us more about his diet?
The UVB bulb is probably a coiled compact lamp? Probably, it doesn't provide sufficient UV level and should be replaced with a T5 tube lamp (like Arcadia ProT5 kit or Reptile Systems EcoT5 unit).
Can you post a photo of his enclosure? Do you have earlier photos of his shell?
Hi, I can’t find any photos of him, but his shell has gradually gotten bigger and bigger over time. At first I just thought he was growing. He didn’t have a uvb for a while and we recently purchased the one he has now. Yes it’s a coiled one. I will look into a uvb for him. The viv is what came with him, I would ideally like a bigger one but I’m unable to get one at the minute.
I will post a photo of his viv now
I will post a photo of his viv now
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
I think MBD (metabolic bone disease) is possible. I will tag @Tom and @wellington here to see what they think.
Also, I agree with Alex, you need to change the coil bulb to a tube style light ASAP.
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Hello! There are things that need changing with the set up as soon as you’re able, lighting being first and foremost, I’d also ditch those beech wood chips on top and change to coco coir or orchid barn, and look into bigger sizing for his age. I agree he looks to have MBD. Also those gauge monitors aren’t the most accurate, plus you want monitors closer to tortoise level
Feel free to go over these threads, take all the time you need to do so, it’ll hopefully answer some further questions.
A great one for new comers;
tortoiseforum.org
This one covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, with visual examples on mounting your lighting), sizing(you can get away with slightly smaller indoors if you can build a larger outdoor space when weather permits, but still sizeable, the bigger the better), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out!
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. I know the recommended adult size is intimidating to some, especially if you’ve been lead into thinking he’ll be fine in a smaller set up(very common) but tortoises long term health really does rely on lots of roaming room. If you’re unable to go that big, go as big as you can
tortoiseforum.org
This is a guide from one of the most experienced and knowledgeable members on here
tortoiseforum.org
Lastly, this one here is probably most important 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 help! Please feel free to ask any further questions! Welcome to the forum
Feel free to go over these threads, take all the time you need to do so, it’ll hopefully answer some further questions.
A great one for new comers;
Info For New People. Please Read This First.
Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...
tortoiseforum.org
This one covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, with visual examples on mounting your lighting), sizing(you can get away with slightly smaller indoors if you can build a larger outdoor space when weather permits, but still sizeable, the bigger the better), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out!
Housing adult Russian and Hermans indoors
Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information an example of an appropriate indoor set up for an older Herman/russian. As much as it’s encouraged to have tortoises in a safe outdoor enclosure, I understand being from the uk myself, that some climates make it difficult to...
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. I know the recommended adult size is intimidating to some, especially if you’ve been lead into thinking he’ll be fine in a smaller set up(very common) but tortoises long term health really does rely on lots of roaming room. If you’re unable to go that big, go as big as you can
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 is a guide from one of the most experienced and knowledgeable members on here
The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise
I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...
tortoiseforum.org
Lastly, this one here is probably most important 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 help! Please feel free to ask any further questions! Welcome to the forum
Thank you for the details.
A few more comments:
1. You will also need another basking bulb (seems that you have a "spot bulb" now). Flood bulbs (with wide and even beam) are better. E.g. Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight or ProRep Flood Spot.
2. He definitely needs a good source of UVB. This coil bulb is not suitable. That's expensive but much desired change. What's the vivarium height?
3. Please, skip feeding tomatoes and bell peppers. More variety is also good. Out of grocery greens you can also add endive, chickory, radicchio, lamb's lettuce. Wild weeds like broadleaf plantain, some clover, mallow are welcomed addition. Amendments like Agrobs Pre Alpine or Arcadia Optimised52 Tortoise Food will help with nutrient balance and fiber if you feed mostly grocery store produce.
4. The substrate looks like it's beech chips and something like HabiStat Tortoise Bedding. I would change it to orchid bark or coco coir (safer and better retaining moisture).
To me situation with his shell looks following:
1. He is on the growth spurt. I think, because care has been improved.
2. Some conditions required for smooth and proper shell growth have not been met: humidity, good UVB source, diet and basking area heat source.
A few more comments:
1. You will also need another basking bulb (seems that you have a "spot bulb" now). Flood bulbs (with wide and even beam) are better. E.g. Arcadia Solar Basking Floodlight or ProRep Flood Spot.
2. He definitely needs a good source of UVB. This coil bulb is not suitable. That's expensive but much desired change. What's the vivarium height?
3. Please, skip feeding tomatoes and bell peppers. More variety is also good. Out of grocery greens you can also add endive, chickory, radicchio, lamb's lettuce. Wild weeds like broadleaf plantain, some clover, mallow are welcomed addition. Amendments like Agrobs Pre Alpine or Arcadia Optimised52 Tortoise Food will help with nutrient balance and fiber if you feed mostly grocery store produce.
4. The substrate looks like it's beech chips and something like HabiStat Tortoise Bedding. I would change it to orchid bark or coco coir (safer and better retaining moisture).
To me situation with his shell looks following:
1. He is on the growth spurt. I think, because care has been improved.
2. Some conditions required for smooth and proper shell growth have not been met: humidity, good UVB source, diet and basking area heat source.
Definitely MBD. Make all changes asap.
Littleredfootbigredheart
Well-Known Member
Sometimes people have to try a few, but 75watt works for most so I’d personally go with that one
That is a whole lot of new, unnatural growth. You're right to be concerned. In my opinion, you're feeding him too much of the wrong kinds of food. He should be getting broad leaf weeds and plants, easy on the grocery store produce.
As mentioned 50-75W is the most common. If you'd like you can check with us a list of items before placing an order.
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