NormyMommy
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2017
- Messages
- 23
Hey all,
Last night I posted in the general tortoise discussion, but I just discovered this specific Russian section and figured I may have better luck here
Yesterday I noticed some discoloration on one side of Norm's shell. It's a pale cream-ish color. I've never really noticed it before and I can't seem to find anything online about it. He's as active as usual, and still has a great appetite. I haven't noticed any sort of change in him other than this coloring. We live in Idaho, so unfortunately going outside isn't an option. He does get fed a mixture of spring mix and I usually throw in a couple other different kinds of vegetation throughout the week. I also usually add calcium to his food 2xs a week. Could this be from using too much calcium? I typically only use 2 teaspoons at most.
His substrate is a mixture of coco coir and Zoo Med Repti Bark. I have a UVB light for him that is approx. 12-14 inches off of the substrate, and a heat lamp, which I believe is 75 watt and maybe 5 inches off of the substrate.
I will admit I need to be better about soaking him, but right now I do so about every 3 days. He has one of those reptile logs to hide away in, but also has 2 plastic black planter things that the stores sell plants in, and looooves sleeping in those. I know they probably aren't the best choice, but he loves them and I didn't see any harm in it.
Has anyone encountered this before?
The top photo is from last night, middle is from a month ago, and the bottom is from the night we brought him home from the local reptile rescue. It looks like it's always been a little discolored, but there is a definite difference between then and now. It's only on the one side of his shell, also. The top of his head and neck also seems to be shedding, if this helps.
Last night I posted in the general tortoise discussion, but I just discovered this specific Russian section and figured I may have better luck here
Yesterday I noticed some discoloration on one side of Norm's shell. It's a pale cream-ish color. I've never really noticed it before and I can't seem to find anything online about it. He's as active as usual, and still has a great appetite. I haven't noticed any sort of change in him other than this coloring. We live in Idaho, so unfortunately going outside isn't an option. He does get fed a mixture of spring mix and I usually throw in a couple other different kinds of vegetation throughout the week. I also usually add calcium to his food 2xs a week. Could this be from using too much calcium? I typically only use 2 teaspoons at most.His substrate is a mixture of coco coir and Zoo Med Repti Bark. I have a UVB light for him that is approx. 12-14 inches off of the substrate, and a heat lamp, which I believe is 75 watt and maybe 5 inches off of the substrate.
I will admit I need to be better about soaking him, but right now I do so about every 3 days. He has one of those reptile logs to hide away in, but also has 2 plastic black planter things that the stores sell plants in, and looooves sleeping in those. I know they probably aren't the best choice, but he loves them and I didn't see any harm in it.
Has anyone encountered this before?
The top photo is from last night, middle is from a month ago, and the bottom is from the night we brought him home from the local reptile rescue. It looks like it's always been a little discolored, but there is a definite difference between then and now. It's only on the one side of his shell, also. The top of his head and neck also seems to be shedding, if this helps.
