dry tortoise shell?

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

I forgot to say, she definitely is yellow though. I would not describe her as tan-colored. She's not TOO yellow, but again I wouldn't know since I've only seen one tortoise in real life- mine.

Would you say that she has always been that color?

 

[Yingg]

Would you say that she has always been that color?

hm, i honestly don't remember. i think she's been yellow but i don't know how yellow.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

hm, i honestly don't remember. i think she's been yellow but i don't know how yellow.

Both the puffines and yellow skin could indicate kidney problems, but I am no expert in those matters so can't say how probable it is.

 

[Yingg]

Both the puffines and yellow skin could indicate kidney problems, but I am no expert in those matters so can't say how probable it is.

I thought so too for the longest time. I still think so. But i've determined that her quality of life doesn't seem affected and she's currently a happy tortoise with healthy poops and active walking. I'm not too concerned.

However , i will still be seeing a vet (this time, a more reputable one) to get her beak trimmed. they require a wellness check first, so i will save up some money and ask for a professional opinion. if she does get diagnosed with some form of kidney issue, I'm not sure what the next step is. I hope she's healthy though. and the puffiness is just... fat.

fingers crossed

 

[Yingg]

hello, do you wash substrate before use? all these years i haven't. i add water to reduce the dustiness though. (2/3 orchid bark/reptibark, 1/3 coco coir/eco earth)

 

[Yingg]

New setup:

basking bulb is about 9 inches away from shell,
arcadia light is about 15 inches away from shell.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

hello, do you wash substrate before use? all these years i haven't. i add water to reduce the dustiness though. (2/3 orchid bark/reptibark, 1/3 coco coir/eco earth)

EcoEarth and Reptibark are pre-washed, as far as I know. Most "reptile-marketed" substrates are, so I put them as is. Coco coir and bark from gardening stores may need rinsing.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

New setup:

basking bulb is about 9 inches away from shell,
arcadia light is about 15 inches away from shell.

Sounds a bit too low to me. Is it a new UVB lamp? For the basking lamp - thermometer should tell you if the distance is correct.

 

[Yingg]

Sounds a bit too low to me. Is it a new UVB lamp? For the basking lamp - thermometer should tell you if the distance is correct.

it's the old one.

 

[RandyTortoise]

Sounds a bit too low to me. Is it a new UVB lamp? For the basking lamp - thermometer should tell you if the distance is correct.

Yeah, there is no ideal height. It all depends on the size of your tortoise and the temperature reading.

 

[Yingg]

Yeah, there is no ideal height. It all depends on the size of your tortoise and the temperature reading.

I'll leave an alcohol thermometer on the ground, then adjust the height until it reaches 95f . is that okay?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

I'll leave an alcohol thermometer on the ground, then adjust the height until it reaches 95f . is that okay?

Yes, should work. If you have a digital thermometer you can it too.

 

[Yingg]

Hello, can i feed her chia micro greens or should they be full size?

 

[RandyTortoise]

Hello, can i feed her chia micro greens or should they be full size?

No problem at all!

 

[Yingg]

hi, is all of this edible?

 

[RandyTortoise]

hi, is all of this edible?

Why? Looks ok.

 

[Yingg]

hi, she usually hovers around 570-585g but today i weighed her and she was 600g. she's already been 600-605g for the past few days. should i be worried? two days ago she pooped and had normal urates. (a LITTLE gritty, kinda like chalk.)

 

[Yingg]

Why? Looks ok.

I'm unsure if all the ingredients are safe. I want to feed her varied foods but some of these veggies aren't on TortoiseTable so i didn't know whether to feed in moderation or not.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

hi, she usually hovers around 570-585g but today i weighed her and she was 600g. she's already been 600-605g for the past few days. should i be worried? two days ago she pooped and had normal urates. (a LITTLE gritty, kinda like chalk.)

It's okay, as long as she is pooping normally.

 

[Yingg]

You need a couple of "right-sized" hides, deep enough substrate to burrow and some moderate shade (think of a grass clump or a bush). For both heat and UV a gradient is better than "black-white".

I have a spider plant. Do you think it would die under this light? I have it potted in a plastic pot with drainage holes and organic soil for raised bed planting. I've had it for months now after buying it from home Depot and switching the soil.