Is he growing okay?

[Wes Hague]

So this is my little buddy Voldetort. He's about 7 months old, and I am concerned if he is starting to pyramid or if he's just growing. I spray him and his habitat down twice a day to keep it humid, it's a toasty 90 degrees on one side and 75 on the other so he can regulate himself, I dust his food (collard greens, kale, or grassland tortoise food) with calcium and he has access to fresh water to drink which I clean out daily. But his spine looks higher than it ought to be. Thoughts?

 

[T Smart]

Do you mind posting a picture of your enclosure?

Even with daily sprays, maintaining proper humidity is very hard with an open setup.

 

[Wes Hague]

Think I need to invest in a digital humidifier then? This terrarium is 3 feet by 1.5 feet, I'm going to upgrade him to a bigger wooden one once he's a year old, it was easier to maintain a constant temp in this one since he was still very young when I got him

 

[Wes Hague]

...also just noticed the absolutely massive turd under his heat lamp. GG Voldetort

 

[Ella’s Gigi]

...also just noticed the absolutely massive turd under his heat lamp. GG Voldetort

Good job Voldetort!

Love the name!

 

[Wes Hague]

I also just noticed this spot on his head, is this something I need to get checked out?

 

[drew54]

I also just noticed this spot on his head, is this something I need to get checked out?

Could you get a better picture? This one it's hard to tell if it's food, dirt, or a wound.

 

[daniellenc]

Looks like pyramiding so def start daily soaks!

 

[Wes Hague]

Could you get a better picture? This one it's hard to tell if it's food, dirt, or a wound.

It just looks like a darker colored scale, feels like the rest of his skin. I was told to not worry unless it swells, oozes, or if he is constantly scratching at it.

 

[Wes Hague]

I upgraded his terrarium so it has a humidifier and a succulent plant (jade plant, safe for torts) to raise the humidity, I'll still give him some soaks to see if it helps

 

[drew54]

The increased humidity and soaks will help. Your uvb hood is that on top of mesh or glass? If so, glass blocks all uvb and mesh will block most of the uvb. Could you put it on the inside?

 

[Wes Hague]

It's mesh, but it's a very think mesh so a lot of light can get through, that's also the same reason I can't hang it on the inside very easily, it isnt that strong to hold the weight of a hanging object

 

[JoesMum]

It's mesh, but it's a very think mesh so a lot of light can get through, that's also the same reason I can't hang it on the inside very easily, it isnt that strong to hold the weight of a hanging object

You should get a lamp stand to hang the lamp from and get rid of the mesh. Mesh obstructs the UVB and lets out the humidity. If you need a top on the enclosure, it should be solid so the humidity can be stabilised. Gaps round the lights are fine... some people use baking foil, perspex is prettier but harder to make holes in.

 

[drew54]

Also, your probe that's hanging needs to be at tort level.

 

[Wes Hague]

I have a towel over it to hold in humidity for now, I have to wait before making any more purchases, and I had the probe that low, but he kept trying to bite it