Baby sulcata tortoise with black under shell

Wnanny5

New Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2021
Messages
2
Location (City and/or State)
Rockport,ky
I have about a six month old sulcata tortoise. I went to check on him today and notice his shell was was black. I am really concerned about him. He is moving, eating, and not showing any symptoms. He is behaving normal for him. I gave him a bath and moved him from his outside enclosure. He has been fine out there since I built it a couple months ago. I move him in and out often. The outside enclosure has filtered water and is in the sun with hides. Ignore the clacium powder on his face.16297718930463405996326583553623.jpg16297717926635813450812570124234.jpg16297718231631833920683707706877.jpg
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,389
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
This sometimes happens because the shell is very thin due to not having enough calcium, making the body use calcium from the bones and shell. The black you're seeing is the fluid inside the body cavity.
 

Wnanny5

New Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2021
Messages
2
Location (City and/or State)
Rockport,ky
This sometimes happens because the shell is very thin due to not having enough calcium, making the body use calcium from the bones and shell. The black you're seeing is the fluid inside the body cavity.
So what do I need to do to help him? Also he is really small for his age he is actually around a year old but his carapace is about 2 and a half inches. My Russian tortoises are doing fine and I treated him the same way. I give him calcium on the regular as well.
 

wellington

Well-Known Member
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Joined
Sep 6, 2011
Messages
49,658
Location (City and/or State)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
He needs to be put in a closed chamber with high humidity and correct temps. At two he is very small. Don't raise him like a Russian, they have totally different care.
Read the sulcata caresheet and make changes asap.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,389
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
He needs calcium and vitamin d3. Calcium-rich foods with a calcium supplement two or three times a week, and a GOOD UVB light or real sunshine.

Have you had a chance yet to read our care sheet?

 

New Posts

Top