Early Pyramiding?

[CarterEvan]

Hello Everyone! I was wondering if anyone could tell me if my baby tortoise has early signs of pyramiding or if its just new growth?

I keep it around 80 degrees all around and 95-100 in the basking spot, along with day and night humidity of 70% with 2 humid hides. I just want the best for my little Caesar!
Also i just noticed it today, there seems to be little spaces in between his scutes. I put this photo up to hopefully show them. And i may just be overreacting haha.

 

[Tom]

There will sometimes be a little dip as the new growth is forming, so its a little too soon to tell.

How long have you had him and how was he cared for before you got him?

Your temps and humidity sound okay. Are you soaking daily? Shell spraying? Is it a closed or open topped enclosure?

 

[CarterEvan]

i have had him for a few weeks, and I got him from tortoise supply.com so I believe he was cared for greatly. I do soak him daily and mist his enclosure a few times a day. He is in a large plastic bin with a plastic shower liner along the top as well

 

[Tom]

i have had him for a few weeks, and I got him from tortoise supply.com so I believe he was cared for greatly. I do soak him daily and mist his enclosure a few times a day. He is in a large plastic bin with a plastic shower liner along the top as well

Tyler is a good guy, but he starts his tortoises a little drier than I do.

I think you will be just fine given all this info.

 

[CarterEvan]

Alright thanks for your help! I'll be sure to keep an eye on his future growth just in case!

 

[Careym13]

Pretty Leopard. Even if it is a tiny bit of pyramiding (I'm not saying it is, just if)...keeping him humid and doing daily soaks like you are, he should grow up nice and smooth.

 

[Neal]

Still a bit too early to judge if pyramiding is occuring. Even at a small size, some elevated scutes are often seen but as the tortoise grows the early pyramiding that occurred will not be noticeable. I have seen this slight pyramiding occur in leopard tortoises quite frequently that are kept in high humid environments, so I don't think it's a concern unless it continues as the tortoise grows. I agree with the others that it sounds like you have him set up well.

 

[CarterEvan]

Thanks for your help! Also does anyone know why my cage might smell bad? i just replaced the orchard bark with Cypress mulch and it still smells pretty bad.

 

[Careym13]

Thanks for your help! Also does anyone know why my cage might smell bad? i just replaced the orchard bark with Cypress mulch and it still smells pretty bad.

What does it smell like? Can you post a photo of the enclosure?

 

[CarterEvan]

It smells very weird, almost like a sour dirt smell but its kind of hard to explain haha

 

[Tom]

Thanks for your help! Also does anyone know why my cage might smell bad? i just replaced the orchard bark with Cypress mulch and it still smells pretty bad.

Cypress mulch comes from swamps in Louisiana and the surrounding areas. It smells like the swamp it came from. That is one reason why I don't use it.

What was the problem with orchid bark? That is my first choice for baby leopards. I've started all of mine on it.

 

[CarterEvan]

Cypress mulch comes from swamps in Louisiana and the surrounding areas. It smells like the swamp it came from. That is one reason why I don't use it.

What was the problem with orchid bark? That is my first choice for baby leopards. I've started all of mine on it.

It also started to smell, but i believe the bark started to smell because i over watered it and there was water sitting along the bottom. I decided to just get rid of the bad smelling bark and replace it with the mulch. You think I should go back to the bark?

 

[Careym13]

Not to be captain obvious or anything, but there isn't like poop anywhere in the enclosure...is there?

 

[Careym13]

I agree with Tom, the Orchid bark doesn't really smell...pretty big difference from cypress mulch. I still use cypress sometimes, but I get the ZooMed brand because it seems to not stink nearly as much as other kinds.

 

[CarterEvan]

Not to be captain obvious or anything, but there isn't like poop anywhere in the enclosure...is there?

No there isn't haha. He mostly goes during his soaks but if he does in the cage i scoop it out

 

[CarterEvan]

I agree with Tom, the Orchid bark doesn't really smell...pretty big difference from cypress mulch. I still use cypress sometimes, but I get the ZooMed brand because it seems to not stink nearly as much as other kinds.

Ill probably pick up some Orchard bark then! thanks!

 

[Careym13]

Ill probably pick up some Orchard bark then! thanks!

Maybe you just got a bad batch of bark? I use a lot of coco coir too...never had any issues with that....holds moisture well so helps with humidity but won't mold.

 

[Tom]

You think I should go back to the bark?

I like it better, but some people prefer other substrates, like the cypress mulch. All things considered, orchid bark has worked the best for me.

 

[CarterEvan]

Alright ill probably do some research on different substrates. Thanks for all your guys' help!

 

[Robber]

The cypress will generally have a strong smell for a day or two, but then it goes away. I like it because you can keep it as wet or dry as you want and doesn't really deteriorate. I keep half of my redfoot enclosure almost wet on one end and the other half dry. By using a few inches of it in the leopards' enclosures, I can keep the bottom inch or so damp while the top stays dry but with good humidity levels.