Does This Look Normal?

oneilmatt

Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2019
Messages
49
Location (City and/or State)
St. Louis, MO
A friend of mine sent me a picture of her juvenile three-toed (about a year old). Is it just me or does the shell not look right?

I'd appreciate some insight!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1444.jpg
    IMG_1444.jpg
    1.3 MB · Views: 29

PJay

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2016
Messages
1,167
Location (City and/or State)
Virginia
The shell is definitely doming high and the skin on its head is flaking off. I'd say it was being kept too dry and needs either a good uvb light or a better diet that includes D3. See if you can get a picture of its home.
 

oneilmatt

Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2019
Messages
49
Location (City and/or State)
St. Louis, MO
The shell is definitely doming high and the skin on its head is flaking off. I'd say it was being kept too dry and needs either a good uvb light or a better diet that includes D3. See if you can get a picture of its home.
She mentioned she keeps it at 30-50% humidity. That's too low, isn't it? Should be like 70% or more, right?
 

Attachments

  • 4FFB9ECB-89CA-4C50-A991-3250FE318FE9.jpeg
    4FFB9ECB-89CA-4C50-A991-3250FE318FE9.jpeg
    1.7 MB · Views: 16

PJay

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2016
Messages
1,167
Location (City and/or State)
Virginia
She mentioned she keeps it at 30-50% humidity. That's too low, isn't it? Should be like 70% or more, right?
Yes, way too dry. What is that substrate? I see sticks, maybe sphagnum, and is that pine cones? Wet the sphagnum so that a drop or two of water comes out if its squeezed in a fist and ditch the pine, it can irritate the skin.
 

Pastel Tortie

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 31, 2018
Messages
4,264
Location (City and/or State)
North Florida
Maybe add a large plant saucer or shallow tray (sunk into the substrate) as well so the turtle can self soak. Not deep enough to be a drowning risk if it flips over, but enough to help hydrate the turtle and also increase the humidity in the enclosure.

Plant saucers can be nested together, ideally with a short vertical spacer between them, to make it easier to take out the one on top, dump it out, give it a quick rinse, put it back in its spot, and refill it.
 

New Posts

Top