Pote

New Member
Joined
May 3, 2022
Messages
17
Location (City and/or State)
Leeds
Hello!

My Russian tortoise is a wild caught, I got her from PetSmart two years ago, and she is somewhere between 5 and 10 years old as well as we can tell. She is active and has a good appetite. When I first got her, she had some she'll damage that has been very slowly healing. She has also had a lot of new growth over the past few years.

Today, I felt something rough on her carapace and turned her over. Some of old, injured scute had flaked off and revealed something underneath that looks dirty and very much not good. It isn't wet, so I don't think it's shell rot. The photos are attached.

The area itself has been a problem since I got her. Attached is also a before photo of before the damaged parts flaked off taken in 2020. You can see that the area where the damaged scute came off was discolored even a year ago.

Any idea what this is?
Hi. I would go to the vet. Unless you really know what you are doing in my opinion it's not worth taking the chance of making things worse. T he shell is like our skin, loaded with nerve endings, sending messages to their brain. I wouldn't want my damaged skin picked off by someone not medically trained.
 

MenagerieGrl

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Nov 11, 2020
Messages
1,163
Location (City and/or State)
El Sobrante, CA.
Hi. I would go to the vet. Unless you really know what you are doing in my opinion it's not worth taking the chance of making things worse. T he shell is like our skin, loaded with nerve endings, sending messages to their brain. I wouldn't want my damaged skin picked off by someone not medically trained.
Actually, I think the Carapace and Plastron are like your fingernail. It is Keratin, It does have "some" sensation, but NOT like your skin. Indeed, a Vet visit might be in order, BUT unless you can find a Tort specialist, MOST vets do NOT have a lot of knowledge of Tort Care. IMHO....
 

Pote

New Member
Joined
May 3, 2022
Messages
17
Location (City and/or State)
Leeds
Actually, I think the Carapace and Plastron are like your fingernail. It is Keratin, It does have "some" sensation, but NOT like your skin. Indeed, a Vet visit might be in order, BUT unless you can find a Tort specialist, MOST vets do NOT have a lot of knowledge of Tort Care. IMHO....
Can tortoises and turtles feel the shell? Absolutely yes! Tortoises and turtles feel their shell very well because there are nerves that lead back to their nervous system. They can feel their shell being stroked, scratched, tapped, or otherwise touched. Tortoise and turtle shells are also sensitive enough to feel pain.

use it to absorb This is why your tortoise may love to be stroked or scratched gently on the outside of their shell.
 

Pote

New Member
Joined
May 3, 2022
Messages
17
Location (City and/or State)
Leeds
Can tortoises and turtles feel the shell? Absolutely yes! Tortoises and turtles feel their shell very well because there are nerves that lead back to their nervous system. They can feel their shell being stroked, scratched, tapped, or otherwise touched. Tortoise and turtle shells are also sensitive enough to feel pain.

use it to absorb This is why your tortoise may love to be stroked or scratched gently on the outside of their shell.
 

Pote

New Member
Joined
May 3, 2022
Messages
17
Location (City and/or State)
Leeds
Actually, I think the Carapace and Plastron are like your fingernail. It is Keratin, It does have "some" sensation, but NOT like your skin. Indeed, a Vet visit might be in order, BUT unless you can find a Tort specialist, MOST vets do NOT have a lot of knowledge of Tort Care. IMHO....
I'm a bit surprised you didn't know that.
 

New Posts

Top