My sulcatas shell?

[Hollieosman]

I rescued my Sulcata around 4 years ago now, no health issues. Shelly who is now Shelldon has started to show sign of shell deformaties. As you can see in the pictures her shell almost looks like it's starting to cave in. Can any one tell me why this is happening and recommend possible things to improve his shell. He's around 8 I think. Has a heat lamp with vit d, fed calcium and cuttlefish, eats a varied diet with tortoise food and is bathed regularly. Thanks xx

 

[Tom]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Where are you? How is this tortoise housed? Indoors or out?

Do you mean you are using a mercury vapor bulb that gives off heat, light and UVB all-in-one?

How close is the bulb to the tortoise? What is that basking temperature at tortoise shell height directly under the bulb?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

Here's my opinion (no way to know for sure): Your heat lamp is too close to the top of his shell and the new growth is getting burned.

 

[wellington]

Hello and Welcome.

 

[HI Tortoise Rescue]

If he's not dehydrated, then Yvonne is probably correct, although I've never seen a heat lamp do that....

Ken