Dry Looking Shell on my Russian Tortoise

[rosie.tortoise]

Hey, this is my Russian tortoise, Rosie. I've had him for about 9 years, but recently, his shell looks really dry, and I'm not sure if that is normal. I soak him in water every once in a while, and sometimes let him walk around outside. He eats mostly radicchio, dandelion leaves, escarole, and endive, then very rarely lettuce or apples. A couple years ago, he got a respiratory infection (he's all better now), but that makes me worried about over-hydrating him. His substrate is cypress mulch. Is there anything I can do better for him? Or does he look ok? I attached pictures of him and his home.

 

[wellington]

He didn't get sick by over hydrating him. Likely too cold or wet and too cold.
Sadly there are bigger problems you need to correct ASAP. The enclosure is way too small. He needs minimum of a 4x8 and should be living outside during the warm months. The water dish is way too small. Needs to be a clay saucer he can fit into.
Also what is the humidity? Should be 30-50%.
With so little room to roam, he can't properly digest and move things properly inside. Eventually won't be able to walk correctly if that hasn't happened already.
If you are using a mercury vapor bulb for basking, change it too an incandescent flood bulb.