Colouring

[Koen]

Hi guys,

Maybe a silly question but I have the feeling one of my thh Puglia is getting lighter in colouring and it worries me?

On the pic with 5 of them it is the left one. If you compared it with the other pic look at the vertebrals the black patches have sort of disappeared. No pink or red spots. I have soaked him hoping to get some feces to bring to the vet but no luck.
His carapace is also relatively soft compared to the others.

Any of you have experience with this?

Thx

 

[Gillian M]

Hi guys,

Maybe a silly question but I have the feeling one of my thh Puglia is getting lighter in colouring and it worries me?

On the pic with 5 of them it is the left on. If you compared it with the other pic look at the vertebrals the black patches have sort of disappeared. No pink or red spots. I have soaked him hoping to get some feces to bring to the vet but no luck.
His carapace is also relatively soft compared to the others.

Any of you have experience with this?

Thx

Cute torts. GOD bless.

Sorry, can't help you: am not a tort expert, but I can tag the experts who will definitely help.

@wellington
@Yvonne G
@Tom

please help. Thank you all.

 

[Franco F]

@HermanniChris

 

[HermanniChris]

Testudo hermanni hermanni are prone to shell fungus. It is more than often NOT life threatening but it comes on from overly moist substrate/situations. Skin nodules, often caused by closed chambers may result in death but these shell funguses are typically less of an issue.

It is NOT coloration. It will most likely dissipate with age but it can remain. Because this species borrows so often when young, they constantly subject themselves to the chance of the fungus starting.

Sampling has shown that is not bacterial in many cases so this is a good thing.

Keep an eye, make sure the shell does not become overly pliable or soft and be sure the animal can fully dry itself off.

T. h. hermanni are tricky as babies sometimes because while they do require appropriate moisture and hydration in order to thrive and grow smoothly, they are more susceptible to shell and skin issues than other species, even their common eastern cousins, T. h. boettgeri.

Hope this helps, wonderful tortoises.

 

[Koen]

Hi Guys,

Thanks a lot for your help and for your exquisite explanation Chris.

In the mean time I did go to a specialised reptile vet (not sure if this is a proper English but I am sure you guys understand) and he basically has the same diagnoses. Fungus it is and not bacterial. I have taken him seperately to keep him a bit dryer and added a ceramic bulb on 1 side which I don't moist so he has constantly access to a dryer, warmer side. About 30 degree Celsius. Cooler side around 22 and night around 19.

It is quite surprising since all these guys were hatched the end of July and have been outside together permanently and it has been relatively dry here but nevertheless. Happy he is doing fine, eating well and being an absolute bulldozer.

@HermanniChris . The vet recommended not to hibernate him but since it is not bacterial I assume a 6 week rest wouldn't hurt him right?

Thanks!

 

[HermanniChris]

Sounds good to me. Keeping it awake would be fine.

 

[Koen]

Would be fine or recommended?

I rather let her hibernate but when not recommended I'll keep her awake.

Cheers!

 

[HermanniChris]

Since it's simply fungal, brumating the animal would be fine to do. In terms of "recommended", brumation is a choice and there is no actual proof that the animal will live a shorter or less of a quality of life without it. Brumation for T. h. hermanni is natural so yes, it certainly is ok to provide them with it. It's hard to say "recommend" when it comes to this subject. Many feel very strongly about brumation whether they are for it or against it.

I opt for brumation because I strive to do everything as naturally as possible here however, I absolutely do not have any adverse feelings towards those who keep their animals awake.

The only thing I will say is that the fungus may increase during brumation because the animal will be subjected to more moisture.

Use that information to make the choice you are most comfortable with.

I'm not sure if you get Reptiles magazine where you are but I recently had a big article come out in it which is all about brumation (hibernation).

 

[Koen]

Thanks Chris will continue with the preparations to hibernate them. I have always hibernated my thb' and thh's and will do so now as well. Since the baby's sleep in my basement as opposed to my bigger animals whom sleep outside, I can follow them up more closely and wake him up up the fungus would increase.

I live in Belgium so haven't seen the Reptiles Magazine but would love to read your article.

Can I find it on your website?

Koen