Zezima
Member
Hello. I have recently found these strange markings on one of my stars shell. It looks abnormal and I’m worried this may be shell rot or the early stages or something bad. Any advice would be appreciated.
Is this shell rot?
- Thread starter Zezima
- Start date
Hello. I have recently found these strange markings on one of my stars shell. It looks abnormal and I’m worried this may be shell rot or the early stages or something bad. Any advice would be appreciated.
Zezima
Member
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2014
- Messages
- 29,140
- Location (City and/or State)
- South Eastern Florida (U.S.A.)/Rock Hill S.C.
No
It isn't
It isn't
Shell rot is a fugal infection of the plastron. I have only ever seen this on RF tortoises and it happens when their substrate is too wet too much of the time. Stars and other species don't get shell rot.
This looks like rough growth from a heat lamp that is too hot, or possible from dry conditions.
How are you housing this tortoise? What substrate? Open topped enclosure or closed chamber? What humidity? What are your four temps? Warm side, cool side, basking area, and overnight low? How are you checking the basking temp directly under the bulb?
Zezima
Member
Hi Tom thank you for your reply. I currently house both of my stars in a vivarium with a coco and coir base and an orchard bark layer on the top. In the day I have the deep heat projector set at 35 degrees and in the evening it’s set at 26 degrees. The humidity varies but I’m currently seeing my humidity levels at around 50%. In the day the warm side is 32 degrees and the cool end is about 24. I have never tested the temperature in the middle.
Directly under the bulb I’m hitting 35 degrees.
I have ordered a pvc chamber that is 4x2x2 which is on its way. I’m hoping this will help me boost up the humidity levels!
Directly under the bulb I’m hitting 35 degrees.
I have ordered a pvc chamber that is 4x2x2 which is on its way. I’m hoping this will help me boost up the humidity levels!
Zezima
Member
Looks to close to me and you can see pyramids on the shell. Can you raise the lamp or add an extra height above to suspend higher? A lovely tortoise it would be a shame to have shell issues. Just read back, you have another enclosure coming maybe consider a different head lamp set up
Those deep heat projectors cause pyramiding, and also the type of damage you are seeing, even when mounted at the correct distance. Yours is MUCH too close. I recommend a RHP (radiant heat panel) instead, or even CHEs, but CHEs need to be mounted at least 18 inches above shell height.
Humidity should be no lower than 80% at any time, and 100% at night when things cool to no lower than 26-27, is normal and fine. 32C is a good ambient temp to strive for all over the whole enclosure for daytime. Stars like it hot. No part of the enclosure should drop below 26C at any time.
4x2 is a good size to start babies in, but your tortoises need something much larger than that. At least 3x6, but 4x8 would be better. Also, they should never be housed in pairs. Groups can work, but never pairs.
All of this and more is here. There is also a heating and lighting breakdown, and a star care sheet at the bottom:
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