Pink plaston

[JessL]

Hi, I’m a new owner and I’ve got a tortoise called Frank who is 8 months old now. He is very active, curious, growing quickly! I soak him daily for around 15 minutes each morning, feed him a varied diet of weeds, lambs lettuce kale etc different foods most days, and he eats well off his slate. He has a basking spot and a separate uvb tube light, a hide for shade and use coco coir for substrate, poos and wee’s daily which looks fine. However, I have noticed the past couple of days that his plastron on his under shell has gone pink, I’m hoping it’s due to growth but I’m a bit concerned and would welcome a second opinion if possible please!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

A question from the photo, does he only have three nails in the back feet?

 

[JessL]

A question from the photo, does he only have three nails in the back feet?

He has 4 nails on each back foot, it’s the angle of the photo

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

He has 4 nails on each back foot, it’s the angle of the photo

Okay! About the plastron, is there any possibility of injury?

 

[JessL]

Okay! About the plastron, is there any possibility of injury?

I don’t think so he seems fine in himself, the only thing I can think of is that I let him walk around the room on our carpet for exercise so wasn’t sure if it could be friction from the carpet? Really not sure!

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

the only thing I can think of is that I let him walk around the room on our carpet for exercise so wasn’t sure if it could be friction from the carpet?

Probably not. I think it it might just be new growth. But walking on the carpet is ill advised otherwise as tortoises are known for sampling anything they can find and a hair for example can cause problems in their digestive system.

 

[JessL]

Probably not. I think it it might just be new growth. But walking on the carpet is ill advised otherwise as tortoises are known for sampling anything they can find and a hair for example can cause problems in their digestive system.

I really hope so bless him I will keep an eye on it as he seems to be growing fast so hopefully it’s that! Okay thank you for you advice I will stop that, thank you! (I say he but who knows yet!)

 

[zolasmum]

Welcome from Devon - I love Frank's expression ! We have a Hermanns tortoise called Zola, who is 24 now, and I wish this forum had existed when we got him- we didn't have much information at all -you, however, will find lots of helpful experienced tortoise people here able to give good advice,about tortoise care, equipment, and just about anything you might want to know !
Best wishes from Angie

 

[JessL]

Welcome from Devon - I love Frank's expression ! We have a Hermanns tortoise called Zola, who is 24 now, and I wish this forum had existed when we got him- we didn't have much information at all -you, however, will find lots of helpful experienced tortoise people here able to give good advice,about tortoise care, equipment, and just about anything you might want to know !
Best wishes from Angie

Thank you Angie! Honestly I’m obsessed with Frank haha, also love the name Zola! It’s definitely a life saver having this forum, and I really appreciate anyone’s advice and tips

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Looks like new growth to me!

Don’t suppose you have a photo of your set up? Always nice to see with newer members, any further information is always welcomed too

What are your temperatures like all over? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps(middle and cooler side), night temps?
What kind of basking bulb is being used specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
How’s humidity?
What’s the substrate?
What kind of monitoring do you have?
What’s diet been like with you?

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hi, I’m a new owner and I’ve got a tortoise called Frank who is 8 months old now. He is very active, curious, growing quickly! I soak him daily for around 15 minutes each morning, feed him a varied diet of weeds, lambs lettuce kale etc different foods most days, and he eats well off his slate. He has a basking spot and a separate uvb tube light, a hide for shade and use coco coir for substrate, poos and wee’s daily which looks fine. However, I have noticed the past couple of days that his plastron on his under shell has gone pink, I’m hoping it’s due to growth but I’m a bit concerned and would welcome a second opinion if possible View attachment 386907please!

He looks healthy and pink hue is most likely because of blood vessels and new growth. When tortoises have pink plastron because of disease it's a very severe condition and tortoises are lethargic and not eating.

 

[JessL]

Looks like new growth to me!

Don’t suppose you have a photo of your set up? Always nice to see with newer members, any further information is always welcomed too

What are your temperatures like all over? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps(middle and cooler side), night temps?
What kind of basking bulb is being used specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
How’s humidity?
What’s the substrate?
What kind of monitoring do you have?
What’s diet been like with you?

Welcome to the forum!!

Looks like new growth to me!

Don’t suppose you have a photo of your set up? Always nice to see with newer members, any further information is always welcomed too

What are your temperatures like all over? Ie basking temp(directly under the bulb), overall day temps(middle and cooler side), night temps?
What kind of basking bulb is being used specifically? Packaging photos are good if you have any
How’s humidity?
What’s the substrate?
What kind of monitoring do you have?
What’s diet been like with you?

Welcome to the forum!!

Oh good! Thank you! I have just taken one tonight, I clean the enclosure once a week. So the temperature under the heat lamp ranges from about 35-39 degrees directly below, it is a 100W bulb in a hooded lamp, it’s around 25 degrees where his food is / middle and 19-20 degrees in the cool shaded side.
The humidity is generally around 65%
I have 3 digital thermometers to monitor and I use coco coir substrate
Diet wise I try and keep it as varied as possible, (living in the uk with weeds and flowers atm is a bit difficult) but I give him dandelions/leaves, clovers from the garden, he loves kale, lambs lettuce, bit of rocket, red lettuce etc. going to try and grow as much as I can come spring /summer! And will try flowers!
(He does have that little brush in his house because he loves a bum scratch) but we are in the process of building a new enclosure so any tips on that are welcome!

 

[JessL]

He looks healthy and pink hue is most likely because of blood vessels and new growth. When tortoises have pink plastron because of disease it's a very severe condition and tortoises are lethargic and not eating.

Thank you

 

[COmtnLady]

Welcome to The Forum!

You have found the best tortoise info site anywhere online. Here has the best most up-to-date info, plus there are a lot of years of expert tortoise keeping represented by the various members here. Everyone will do their best to help you help your tortoise to have a happy healthy life.
.
For your own peace of mind don't listen to the "advice" given by other sources (like: pet shops, social media sites, People at reptile shows, many of the YouTube videos, and even most veterinarians). They're still using old info that doesn't work as well as what you'll find here.

Study the info in the links offered. All those head-exploding details will show you how to help your tortoise to thrive.

And, ask a lot of questions.

Hint: Run it by the experts before you buy new equipment or whatever - their expertise will save you a lot of stress and money.

____________________________________



Have you had a chance to read this yet?

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

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.

 

[er9m]

His nails needs to be trimed )

 

[JessL]

Oh good! Thank you! I have just taken one tonight, I clean the enclosure once a week. So the temperature under the heat lamp ranges from about 35-39 degrees below, it is a 100W bulb in a hooded lamp, it’s around 25 degrees where his food is / middle and 19-20 degrees in the cool shaded side.
The humidity is generally around 65%
I have 3 digital thermometers to monitor and I use coco coir substrate
Diet wise I try and keep it as varied as possible, (living in the uk with weeds and flowers atm is a bit difficult) but I give him dandelions/leaves, clovers from the garden, he loves kale, lambs lettuce, bit of rocket, red lettuce etc. going to try and grow as much as I can come spring /summer! And will try flowers!
(He does have that little brush in his house because he loves a bum scratch) but we are in the process of building a new enclosure so any tips on that are welcome!

His nails needs to be trimed )

Okay how do I trim his nails just with a nail clipper or do I get the vets to do it?

 

[JessL]

Welcome to The Forum!

You have found the best tortoise info site anywhere online. Here has the best most up-to-date info, plus there are a lot of years of expert tortoise keeping represented by the various members here. Everyone will do their best to help you help your tortoise to have a happy healthy life.
.
For your own peace of mind don't listen to the "advice" given by other sources (like: pet shops, social media sites, People at reptile shows, many of the YouTube videos, and even most veterinarians). They're still using old info that doesn't work as well as what you'll find here.

Study the info in the links offered. All those head-exploding details will show you how to help your tortoise to thrive.

And, ask a lot of questions.

Hint: Run it by the experts before you buy new equipment or whatever - their expertise will save you a lot of stress and money.

____________________________________



Have you had a chance to read this yet?

Info For New People. Please Read This First.

Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...

tortoiseforum.org

.

Thank you so much, that’s really helpful!

 

[er9m]

Okay how do I trim his nails just with a nail clipper or do I get the vets to do it?

There's one thing, that you should know, before trimming. Tortoises has blood in their nails, so when trimming it, you should not trim too much. I think better will explain other more experienced members of this forum.

 

[JessL]

There's one thing, that you should know, before trimming. Tortoises has blood in their nails, so when trimming it, you should not trim too much. I think better will explain other more experienced members of this forum.

Okay fab thank you

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

He looks healthy and pink hue is most likely because of blood vessels and new growth. When tortoises have pink plastron because of disease it's a very severe condition and tortoises are lethargic and not eating.

And with pink bruising there would be a recent injury.