Pyramiding

[TortNZ]

Hi
I’ve had my tort for 2.5 months now. She has been doing well and has doubled her weight over that time. According to the Jackson method she is doing well and growing at a normal rate.
As you know I’m new I wanted to ask if you could please have a look at her shell to tell me if there are signs of pyramiding?
Have also attached pix of temp and humidity.
I have attached pix.

Thank you A

 

[drew54]

Looks good. Keep it up! And welcome!

 

[drew54]

Looks good. Keep it up! And welcome!

My only complaint is the size of your enclosure and the substrate. It's good for humidity, but could cause impaction. Have you checked out the care guides for your species?

 

[Tom]

My only complaint is the size of your enclosure and the substrate. It's good for humidity, but could cause impaction. Have you checked out the care guides for your species?

Impaction? From coco coir? I don't think so.

 

[Tom]

Hi
I’ve had my tort for 2.5 months now. She has been doing well and has doubled her weight over that time. According to the Jackson method she is doing well and growing at a normal rate.
As you know I’m new I wanted to ask if you could please have a look at her shell to tell me if there are signs of pyramiding?
Have also attached pix of temp and humidity.
I have attached pix.

Thank you A

It looks like there was some pyramiding starting before, but the newer grow looks better.

 

[drew54]

Impaction? From coco coir? I don't think so.

it looked like there were tiny wood chips mixed in with it.

 

[TortNZ]

Hi all
I just use coconut coir. I know orchid bark would be better but it is made of pine.
Thanks Drew.
Tom are you saying there is some pyramiding? Is there anyway I can reverse it or is the damage done and I can only make sure it doesn’t get worse?
I have attached pix of what the shell looked when I got Evo.
Thank so much for all the advise ?

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi all
I just use coconut coir. I know orchid bark would be better but it is made of pine.
Thanks Drew.
Tom are you saying there is some pyramiding? Is there anyway I can reverse it or is the damage done and I can only make sure it doesn’t get worse?
I have attached pix of what the shell looked when I got Evo.
Thank so much for all the advise ?

Orchid bark isn't made of pine, it's from the fir tree and is perfectly safe for tortoises.

 

[TortNZ]

Hello Yvonne

I have attached screen shots of three different ones on offer here? Info says Pine??

 

[Markw84]

Hi all
I just use coconut coir. I know orchid bark would be better but it is made of pine.
Thanks Drew.
Tom are you saying there is some pyramiding? Is there anyway I can reverse it or is the damage done and I can only make sure it doesn’t get worse?
I have attached pix of what the shell looked when I got Evo.
Thank so much for all the advise ?

There was moderate pyramiding starting when you got the tortoise, but the new growth since you've had it is coming in much smoother. You are doing a good job at reversing the trend that was already started.

There is no way to correct what was already there, but just as you are doing you can improve conditions and allow the new growth and future growth to come in more smooth. At and early age it is still pretty easy to correct the growth pattern starting on a tortoise. The rule I've found is if the growth seams on a young tortoise are still smaller than the width of the original areolae of the scute, it is still easier to stop and change the direction of growth of the underlying bone.

If you continue to provide optimal conditions, the small relative amount of pyramiding that was already there will become less and less noticeable as the tortoise grows.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hello Yvonne

I have attached screen shots of three different ones on offer here? Info says Pine??

Well, you don't want that brand then. Buy a brand that says it's fir bark.

 

[Maggie3fan]

I also have used only orchid bark for years...no impaction and they don't eat the fir bark...it's hard to find in the Pacific NorthWest but it also lasts for years...Really...it's better for your tortoise...

 

[TortNZ]

There was moderate pyramiding starting when you got the tortoise, but the new growth since you've had it is coming in much smoother. You are doing a good job at reversing the trend that was already started.

There is no way to correct what was already there, but just as you are doing you can improve conditions and allow the new growth and future growth to come in more smooth. At and early age it is still pretty easy to correct the growth pattern starting on a tortoise. The rule I've found is if the growth seams on a young tortoise are still smaller than the width of the original areolae of the scute, it is still easier to stop and change the direction of growth of the underlying bone.

If you continue to provide optimal conditions, the small relative amount of pyramiding that was already there will become less and less noticeable as the tortoise grows.

Thanks Markw84
I will follow your advise ?

 

[TortNZ]

Well, you don't want that brand then. Buy a brand that says it's fir bark.

Hello Yvonne

The screen shots are of three different brands.
I will keep looking as I want to do what is best for my tort but we are limited what we have here.
That’s why I joint this forum as you guys are so much further when it comes to keeping tortoises. Here the tort owners still recommend sand as substrate.
Thank again Yvonne it is much appropriated. ?

 

[TortNZ]

I also have used only orchid bark for years...no impaction and they don't eat the fir bark...it's hard to find in the Pacific NorthWest but it also lasts for years...Really...it's better for your tortoise...

Thanks
I will keep on looking ?

 

[Tom]

Tom are you saying there is some pyramiding? Is there anyway I can reverse it or is the damage done and I can only make sure it doesn’t get worse?

Mark explained it perfectly and eloquently.

About the fir/pine issue: This may be a case of different common names in different parts of the world. In Australia they call turtles tortoises, and tortoises turtles, for example. If I remember correctly the "fir" trees are a type of pine, but not the same thing as "regular" pine trees. Most people in the world would call a Tuatara a lizard. I'm willing to bet that you know it isn't a lizard, even though it might look like one to most people. What we call "fir bark" here in the US, might be labeled as "pine bark" in NZ.

 

[jso]

This language thing is confusing! Are US “fir” trees not “pine” trees then?

Here in the UK we’re warned not to use pine chippings* as a substrate because apparently it can give off injurious fumes when heated. (And I think I’ve read the same warnings on this Forum?)

That NZ Orchiata stuff is claimed to be “processed” in some way when they turn into “orchid bark” I wonder if that makes it safe for our purposes? Maybe not. No way of telling, I suppose.

(*The stuff that’s sold as a decorative mulch for gardens etc. We can get it in coarse or “mini” versions. I think it’s just a forestry by-product, and goodness knows what’s actually in it)

 

[Tom]

This language thing is confusing! Are US “fir” trees not “pine” trees then?

I have so much fun when talking to anyone from the UK, Australia, or NZ, and after a good long explanation from them about something, I go; "Whoa whoa whoa. Slow down! Speak ENGLISH would ya!"

The look on their face is classic! I do it to people here in the US that are from the North East or South East too, but it isn't as funny.

 

[jso]

"...two nations divided by a common language" (attributed to G B Shaw)

 

[DerrickD]

Hi all
I just use coconut coir. I know orchid bark would be better but it is made of pine.
Thanks Drew.
Tom are you saying there is some pyramiding? Is there anyway I can reverse it or is the damage done and I can only make sure it doesn’t get worse?
I have attached pix of what the shell looked when I got Evo.
Thank so much for all the advise ?

looks like you’re doing marvelous!!!?