Newbie to tortoises so after some advice

[Jifkif2011]

So my wife and I bought a tortoise about month ago and we knew a small amount about them so spoke to the pet shop for more advice and bought all the items they recommended for a setup for a tortoise they were selling and he had such a character so we couldn’t say no. Since having him he has hardly eaten much and speaking to the vets his shell has got some pyramiding. We sprinkle calcium on his food and have cuttle fish in his enclosure but he has no interest at all in it. He is very active, always walking around and sometimes diving off his logs into the soil down below. He is super friendly and we are glad we chose him, despite his ‘health issues’. Is there anything you would tell someone new to tortoises and any support with feeding and the pyramiding?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome!

It looks like either a Greek or a Hermanns, and probably a few years old. Pyramiding happens during the tortoise's first year of life - being raised on a dry substrate in a dry environment, without the correct diet and UVB, but mostly the lack of humidity.

Older tortoises like that take a while to acclimate. Please read our care sheet: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/greek-tortoise-care-guide.174622/ It will help ease your mind about what items you should have and how to take care of the tortoise.

Once you start offering the types of food shown in the care sheet, the tortoise should start eating for you. If you post pictures of the underside of the tortoise we can tell you for sure what species it is.

 

[Jifkif2011]

Hi, he is 5 years old and is a spur thighed tortoise. We’ve been told by a tortoise specialist vet that his breed doesn’t need high humidity. He only just a few moments ago was eating some kale and dandelion leaves which is a big improvement. He is currently under weight so any advice on food which will help him put on weight would be appreciated. He was originally on hemp substrate but we’ve changed him to soil and the pet store advised us to get a vivarium which we have realised isn’t good so we’ve adapted it temporarily while we look for a tortoise table.

 

[method89]

I would give him a warm soak everyday for at least week. It will rehydrate him and just make him feel generally better.

 

[Yvonne G]

Yes, they don't need high humidity, however, the babies cannot be raised completely dry or they end up bumpy like yours is.

 

[Jifkif2011]

His 5 so I don’t know how he was raised as the pet shop said they got given him by a lady not long before we picked him up. Any recommendations on how to help his shell for the future going forward as I know his shell is not amazing and that’s what I’m trying to better for him.

 

[Jifkif2011]

Also when we got him he had number 3 on his shell In white. Any recommendations on how to maybe get that of his shell

 

[method89]

Should be able to use a scrub brush and some water to gently get it off

 

[Jifkif2011]

Tried that last night when giving him a soak. Maybe it will come of as he gets older.