Cause of Pyramiding

[Heardofturtles]

Hello again TFO,

This isn't new information, but still a good reference.

Cheers

Influence of environmental humidity and dietary protein on pyramidal growth of carapaces in African spurred tortoises (Geochelone sulcata)

Summary
The carapaces of captive-raised tortoises (terrestrial chelonians of the zoological family Testudinidae, often develop pyramidal-shaped osseous growth centrally within the horny plates. With very few exceptions (e.g. Geochelone elegans, Psammobatessp.), this conical growth pattern is considered to be pathologic. This very common defect is believed to be an important indicator of the quality of captive tortoise management. This study was designed to examine the effect of dietary protein level and environmental humidity on the degree of pyramidal growth in the carapaces. Fifty recently hatched African spurred tortoises (G. sulcata) were raised for 5 months under artificial conditions of varying environmental humidity and dietary protein content (14% vs. 19% vs. 30% crude protein in dry matter). Humps of the carapaces that developed and blood values of calcium, phosphorus and haematocrit were measured and compared among groups. Dry environmental conditions (24.3–57.8% and 30.6–74.8% relative humidity) produced taller humps than humid conditions (45-99% relative humidity). Hump formation differed significantly (p ≤ 0.001) between these three groups kept under different humidity conditions. Variable dietary protein had a minor, positive impact on this pathological formation of humps (pyramidal growth syndrome, PGS). Analysis of blood (calcium, phosphorus and haematocrit) offered no further explanation as to the development of the humps


http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1439-0396.2003.00411.x/abstract

 

[Yvonne G]

Ah...a scientific study to confirm what Tom's 'experiments' have already taught us. Thanks for posting this.

 

[Heardofturtles]

Ah...a scientific study to confirm what Tom's 'experiments' have already taught us. Thanks for posting this.

Didn't realize you knew everything already. Sorry for wasting your time.
More relevant here, should I name my tortoise Shelly, Sheldon or Shelby?

 

[Cowboy_Ken]

Sheldon, I believe removes any confusion. In private settings, Shelly may be ok.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

But Shelby's quite cute, too.

 

[Yvonne G]

Didn't realize you knew everything already. Sorry for wasting your time.
More relevant here, should I name my tortoise Shelly, Sheldon or Shelby?

I was not being sarcastic at all. There are those who have given Tom a bad time because he says humidity is helpful in keeping young tortoises growing smoothly and they've told him without science behind what he's saying that he's all wet. That's all I meant. I was happy to see a real scientific study to back up what he's been saying all along, that's all. I'm sorry if I sounded like I didn't appreciate what you posted. The opposite is true. I am very happy you posted this study. I really mean it - thank you.

 

[G-stars]

Again an issue of words being misinterpreted. It's difficult at times to distinguish the tone of written words.

 

[G-stars]

Thanks for posting this. This further adds proof to the "wet method" or high humidity method.

 

[Tom]

I was not being sarcastic at all. There are those who have given Tom a bad time because he says humidity is helpful in keeping young tortoises growing smoothly and they've told him without science behind what he's saying that he's all wet. That's all I meant. I was happy to see a real scientific study to back up what he's been saying all along, that's all. I'm sorry if I sounded like I didn't appreciate what you posted. The opposite is true. I am very happy you posted this study. I really mean it - thank you.

Worded so much more elegantly and eloquently than I would have worded it. Well done.