possible cause?

[Blakem]

Hello, I was wondering what the possible causes of my tort unhealthy looking shell could be from? I've had him for only 2 months and in the last week he has started to get the white on his shell. I've changed his diet to a spring mix salad, I soak him every day or every other day in the past week.
What else can/should I be doing? I might have had it answered in my intro post but I just figured out how to post pictures. Thanks in advanced.

 

[GBtortoises]

It's difficult to determine from the photo-is the white line between the scutes the same material as the scute or does it appear to be bone from beneath showing through as though the scutes are coming loose? If you can't visually tell you can gently take a fingernail or toothpick, place in the seam and see if you hook the edge of the scute. If the edge is loose you will be able to get something just under it (hook it). If you cannot then the white is new growth. If you can hook it, the scute is coming loose. If the scutes are coming loose there are a number of reasons why this could be happening. Most related to diet deficiencies or environmental conditions. Before assuming any of that it would first help if you can determine whether or not the scutes are actually seperarting or if it's growth.

 

[HLogic]

What does the plastron (bottom shell) look like? If it is similar (or worse) it may be shell rot.

I'm leaning toward new growth but it does look a little suspicious.

 

[Blakem]

I feel like it may be new growth as well because they are very thin lines, almost like a little powder is on there. The bottom of his shell is black and yellow. It looks fine. Tbank you for your input.

What does the plastron (bottom shell) look like? If it is similar (or worse) it may be shell rot.

I'm leaning toward new growth but it does look a little suspicious.

 

[GBtortoises]

I don't want to panic the OP but the reason I suspect a possible problem is that new growth lines on a Russian tortoise while very light in color are typically the horn or yellowish color of the scute, not a white as seen in the photo. But it could be the light reflection or some other cause not related to the tortoise.

 

[Blakem]

I'm sorry I do not know what the acronym OP stands for. I am still completely new. I am guessing it means the owner. The white is exactly how it looks in the picture, white. But, I will continue to observe and see if it gets better.
I do not know if this makes a difference but all I have is a basking light and a ceramic heat emitter.

 

[GBtortoises]

I'm sorry I do not know what the acronym OP stands for. I am still completely new. I am guessing it means the owner. The white is exactly how it looks in the picture, white. But, I will continue to observe and see if it gets better.
I do not know if this makes a difference but all I have is a basking light and a ceramic heat emitter.

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OP means "original poster" of the thread. If the scutes are seperating then there may be a cause to do more than just observe and see if it gets better. Worse case is that it could be a fungus under the scute, dietary issue or other health problem. The best scenario is that it is simply new growth lines, which are a good thing. But until you find out if the scute is seperating from the bone or not there is no real way of telling from just a photo. It would be better for the tortoise (and it's owner) to find out for sure.

A basking light or any other heat source should not be a cause of scute seperation if that is the problem.