Carapace question

[Uwabamireptiles]

I noticed my biggest emys has a different looking carapace than the others. There seems to be more angles along the carapace than I’m seeing in my other tortoises. Is this pyramiding or am I reading into it too much?

 

[wellington]

Pictures from the side will let us actually see if she's pyramiding. From above it's hard to tell.

 

[MEEJogja]

Pyramiding is very rare with Emys. Having said that, there do seem to be cases every now and then. What is obvious from your photo is that you are feeding them well, and keeping them in a fairly damp environment (it looks like they're on mud?). From above they do perhaps look like a redfoot in the early stages of pyramiding but as long as they have access to damp environments that should be temporary. Do they have access to a shallow pool to soak in... And do they ever do it?

 

[MEEJogja]

I ask because despite people saying that theirs soak for days on end, mine rarely soak but often walk through the water, occasionally drink from it, and every once in a while I catch them spending the night soaking. All of that helps.

 

[Uwabamireptiles]

Pictures from the side will let us actually see if she's pyramiding. From above it's hard to tell.

Here’s pics from both sides:

 

[Uwabamireptiles]

Pyramiding is very rare with Emys. Having said that, there do seem to be cases every now and then. What is obvious from your photo is that you are feeding them well, and keeping them in a fairly damp environment (it looks like they're on mud?). From above they do perhaps look like a redfoot in the early stages of pyramiding but as long as they have access to damp environments that should be temporary. Do they have access to a shallow pool to soak in... And do they ever do it?

I try to give them as much variety in their diet as I can. I am growing tons of stuff for them and they get a lot of hibiscus leaves and flowers. I’m growing flowers and weeds for them as well. Their pen has a lot of dirt/sand at the moment. This time of year the area they are in has a ton of die back from the weeds that come back in the spring. They do have access to a 24 inch x 24 inch rabbit cage tray that holds about 3 inches of water. They honestly don’t go in it too much. I also spray them just about everyday and they seem to enjoy that a ton. Humidity isn’t an issue here in Florida but it is lower than it usually is at the moment since we’ve had some cold snaps recently.

 

[zovick]

Here’s pics from both sides:

Your tortoise shows very minimal pyramiding. In fact, many people would not even consider the tortoise as being pyramided at all.

IE, it looks fine. No need to worry.

 

[wellington]

I agree with zovick, not really any to worry about except the lowest scutes. It may be the angle of the pic or the start of lower scute flaring out. Lower scutes usually don't pyramid like the upper scutes do, so I'm guessing it's likely something other than pyramiding.
@Yvonne G I believe has lots of experience with this species.

 

[Uwabamireptiles]

Your tortoise shows very minimal pyramiding. In fact, many people would not even consider the tortoise as being pyramided at all.

IE, it looks fine. No need to worry.

Thanks, that makes me feel better. I assumed it was ok but I wanted to see what you guys thought so if it was the start of something you’ve seen, I could make adjustments as needed.

 

[Uwabamireptiles]

So I wanted to use this thread to follow up on a growth question. I have seen in the last couple months, the growth lines between the front scutes of two of my emys get wider and wider. Is this normal growth to see? I know there will be growth lines but it’s just on the front scutes. Any insight is appreciated.

 

[Yvonne G]

Sometimes certain parts of the shell have to grow more than others to keep the profile in symmetry.

Does the tortoise live in a humid environment, and have access to wading water areas all the time?

 

[Uwabamireptiles]

Sometimes certain parts of the shell have to grow more than others to keep the profile in symmetry.

Does the tortoise live in a humid environment, and have access to wading water areas all the time?

I’m in central Florida, humidity is relatively high and I make sure to spray them at least once a day. They have access to two separate water basins that they can wade in.