New RT owner. Shell question

[bree1216]

Hi all! My name is Bridgett and today I picked up a long awaited Russian whom I have named Bellamy. I am told he is rather young, male, and is an eager eater. His eyes are bright and he seems in good condition, but I was inspecting his shell very closely and had a question. I don't think it is shell rot? Maybe healing? The picture has a whiteish spot that is calloused to touch (not squishy or flakey but not as hard as the shell) and just below it it looks like some pigment on the shell has flaked off. I am wondering if this is normal and ok? (the other picture is just for your enjoyment )

I have never owned a tortoise but have worked with multiple species when I worked at zoos and fell in love with these reptiles!

 

[TechnoCheese]

Looks like just your regular wear-and-tear of a tortoise shell to me
But, if you got him from a pet shop, he is not young at all, and is a wild caught, probably 5-10 year old, adult.
Please take a look at our care sheet, and come back with questions.
Russian Tortoise Care Sheet
https://tortoiseforum.org/index.php?threads/Russian-Tortoise-Care-Sheet.80698/
Welcome to the forum!

 

[bree1216]

Another odd question. His basking light seems to be giving off a burning plastic/chemically smell. It is a 125w Solar Glo All in 1 bulb with heat, UBV, an UVA and it is in a metal clamp light that is for up to 150 watts. It is a new bulb and new fixture. It isn't on top of a screen or anything.

 

[TechnoCheese]

Another odd question. His basking light seems to be giving off a burning plastic/chemically smell. It is a 125w Solar Glo All in 1 bulb with heat, UBV, an UVA and it is in a metal clamp light that is for up to 150 watts. It is a new bulb and new fixture. It isn't on top of a screen or anything.

Hmm, I do think new lights give off slight smells when you first use them, but I’m not sure. The only time mine have given off smells was when it burnt something.