Bathing and Pyramiding

[georgechilcs]

Hi everyone,
I have a 4 year old spur thighed allied Digory (still to be sexed!!) although I'm hoping it's a little boy!
I have had him for a few weeks now and have been bathing him every couple of days with warm water from the tap. I've read somewhere that its a good idea to put calcium in the water so as much calcium is taken in as possible. Is this recommended because I am worried about his/her calcium intake?!
Secondly how can pyramiding be avoided?! I'm worried that he/she is starting the beginnings of pyramiding. I have attached a picture for reference. Is there anything I can do to curb this?

Thanks x

 

[ascott]

Food, exercise, hydration (soaking as well as consumption) and lots of opportunity to natural outside sun time....you should also have a warm humid hide somewhere that your tort can get to when ever he is feeling a little less than juicy D)

Yes, your tort has pyramiding---but if you tweak his world a bit you can then assure any new growth rings will be a bit smoother ----your tort is beautiful by the way and what a sweet face...

 

[JoesMum]

Your tort is pyramidding. It will not go away, but may become less obvious as it grows.

Stopping pyramidding is all about environment.

Please tell us more about your enclosure. Pictures paint a thousand words
We also need to know what humidity you have and what temperatures. For torts kept indoors there are 4 important ones: warm side, cool side, directly under the basking lamp and overnight minimum.

For your tort to absorb calcium from its diet, it needs vitamin D3. Like humans, torts make this themselves by being exposed to UVB. Your tort can get UVB from the sun outside or froma UVB tube fitting or from an MVB bulb. Compact (coil) type UVB is not recommended as they cause eye damage. The bulbs need to be changed every 12 months as they lose effectiveness with time.

You should not need to add Calcium to water. Most people sprinkle a tiny amount on food a couple of times a week. Having a cuttlebone in the enclosure is another way of your getting calcium... some torts prefer it wet, in which case put it in the water dish.