Another post and question on the forum this morning got me going on pyramiding again. And then at bath time today as I soaked some tortoises in the sun, I began thinking about how much we have learned about "natural" growth of tortoises and how to achieve it. In fact it was on this forum back in 2010 that I came across a thread by a guy named @Tom on ending pyramiding. That was the real turning point for me that got me pointed in the right direction after decades of frustration. Since then I have become quite close friends with Tom and we collaborate all the time talking tortoises. I bet we talk at least every week now!
11 years ago, and we still see all the same old outdated information out there and arguments about closed chambers and "dry" species!
So as I soaked my tortoises today, I took some pictures to show how what we've learned has changed the way we now grow tortoises and finally see tortoise that look the way they are supposed to!
A 6.5 month old Burmese Star I held back from my summer clutches of last year. I always like to hold back a few to see how they turn out and to compare to ones I sold if there are questions.
A couple of pancake tortoises just over 1 year old:
Here's another pancake with a side view to really see how the vertebrals are growing. 14 mos old. 4.6". 180g. Gives a new meaning to the old phrase "flat as a pancake"!!
Here's Darwin. a 2019 hatch. Brenda giving some cactus this morning. 23 mos old. 13.8". 6750g. You can see the perfect flat growth from the first 16 months or so in the closed chamber. But now outdoors full time for over 6 months there is slight pyramiding starting. Gotta figure out how to get the humidity up in the night house!!
Here's a 2020 hatchling that will be 1 year old in 3 weeks. 8.75" 1760g.
Here's some 2021 hatchlings in their bath today. 4 days old. Already growing and eating. You can see, if you zoom in, the new growth where the scute seams are separating and new keratin is filing in. The new keratin has actually swelled up into a ridge as it is supposed to. Not flat or sunken.
Here they are back in the brooder box as their yolk sac has not yet completely healed. At this stage they need constant 100% humidity, incubation temperatures, and lots of food. Everything in there I grow here for the tortoises. I leave some leaves big for hiding cover for the babies.
11 years ago, and we still see all the same old outdated information out there and arguments about closed chambers and "dry" species!
So as I soaked my tortoises today, I took some pictures to show how what we've learned has changed the way we now grow tortoises and finally see tortoise that look the way they are supposed to!
A 6.5 month old Burmese Star I held back from my summer clutches of last year. I always like to hold back a few to see how they turn out and to compare to ones I sold if there are questions.
A couple of pancake tortoises just over 1 year old:
Here's another pancake with a side view to really see how the vertebrals are growing. 14 mos old. 4.6". 180g. Gives a new meaning to the old phrase "flat as a pancake"!!
Here's Darwin. a 2019 hatch. Brenda giving some cactus this morning. 23 mos old. 13.8". 6750g. You can see the perfect flat growth from the first 16 months or so in the closed chamber. But now outdoors full time for over 6 months there is slight pyramiding starting. Gotta figure out how to get the humidity up in the night house!!
Here's a 2020 hatchling that will be 1 year old in 3 weeks. 8.75" 1760g.
Here's some 2021 hatchlings in their bath today. 4 days old. Already growing and eating. You can see, if you zoom in, the new growth where the scute seams are separating and new keratin is filing in. The new keratin has actually swelled up into a ridge as it is supposed to. Not flat or sunken.
Here they are back in the brooder box as their yolk sac has not yet completely healed. At this stage they need constant 100% humidity, incubation temperatures, and lots of food. Everything in there I grow here for the tortoises. I leave some leaves big for hiding cover for the babies.