Here’s another, it’s on the left. I touched it and it isn’t softHard to see because it's too close. Take another pic of the whole shell.
Clearer picHere’s another, it’s on the left. I touched it and it isn’t soft
I didn’t notice the spot in the middle of his shell either, it doesn’t look as dark or indented in personClearer pic
Looks like a normal rough textured Russian shell to me.Does my Russian tortoise have shell rot? I just noticed this today on his shell I haven’t touched it yet. What can I do to help him? Please help me.
It’s a 100 watt basking bulb, but his log is underneath it so he doesn’t always have direct contact. Maybe I’m just not soaking him enough either. I added more water to his bedding last night too. I will check the temperature as you said, I have a thermometer for his “cool” side.Looks like a normal rough textured Russian shell to me.
Shell rot happens on the plastron and it is generally caused by constant exposure to wetness in red foot tortoises. Russians don't get shell rot.
What type of basking bulb are you using? Be sure it is not a "spot" type bulb. Check the temperature under it by resting a digital thermometer on its back directly under the bulb at tortoise shell height and letting it cook there for an hour or more. It should be 95-100. Raise or lower the bulb or the wattage to get the correct temperature under it.
You need to know what type of basking bulb. Is it a spot or a flood top bulb.It’s a 100 watt basking bulb, but his log is underneath it so he doesn’t always have direct contact. Maybe I’m just not soaking him enough either. I added more water to his bedding last night too. I will check the temperature as you said, I have a thermometer for his “cool” side.
It is a spot bulb and I will get the temperature once the thermometer can read it on his warm sideYou need to know what type of basking bulb. Is it a spot or a flood top bulb.
And you need to know the temperature directly under the bulb.
If you have a flood bulb and the temperature is correct, I don't think you have any problem with the carapace.
That might be causing the problem. Spot bulbs should not be used over tortoises. They concentrate too much heat and desiccating IR-A into too small of an area. You need a flood type bulb to spread the heat out over a greater area and reduce the potential for burning the carapace.It is a spot bulb and I will get the temperature once the thermometer can read it on his warm side
Okay thank you, I will look into buying one. Is there anything I can do to help my tortoise for now with their shell (medicine, more soaking)?That might be causing the problem. Spot bulbs should not be used over tortoises. They concentrate too much heat and desiccating IR-A into too small of an area. You need a flood type bulb to spread the heat out over a greater area and reduce the potential for burning the carapace.