pyramiding???

[Mvptortoise]

I know what it looks like. But what causes it??? Can you fix it? If so how?

 

[mike taylor]

The thing that causes it is low humidity! What pyramiding the tort has is his for life . You can increase humidity feed the right food . Then the new growth will come in smooth .

 

[Tom]

Pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry.

You cannot fix the growth that is already there.

You can fix future growth by providing the correct conditions.

 

[testudoLUVR]

Pyramiding is a form of metabolic bone disease (MBD). It is characterized by a build up or stacking of keratin in the scutes. In advanced cases the shell becomes soft and flattens out. The above tortoise was rescued from horrible conditions. When I received it the plastron was so soft I could push it in with light pressure. If you were to tap on the pyramids, they sounded hollow. After a summer of grazing on grasses and weeds with plenty of sun and exercise, its shell is now rock hard.
In more advanced stages the shell actually flattens out.

I have discussed this extensively with veterinarians that specialize in reptiles, reptile rehabbers and experienced keepers. It appears that pyramiding in tortoises is from a number of causes. Some are fairly obvious and are mentioned on just about every web site that deals with chelonians:

• too much protein
• too little calcium
• too much phosphorous (a poor calcium hosphorous ratio)
• not enough D3
• kidney and/or liver disease (which impair conversion of vitamin D to it's active from), small intestinal disease (disrupts absorption), and disease of the thyroid or parathyroid glands (produce hormones which affect calcium metabolism).

However there are some less obvious, though equally important factors involved

• lack of exercise
• hydration status
• grain based diets
• lack of fiber
• too much food
• being kept too cool

Traditionally the focus has been on protein and calcium. But the protein issue is not as simple as limiting high protein foods. A tortoise can be fed too much protein by feeding large quantities of low protein food. They can also get too much by being fed a normal amount of "good" food if they are confined in a small pen with limited exercise. In the wild tortoises typically walk miles while foraging. The more exercise they get, the more protein is needed. Excess protein in the diet causes the shell to put down heavy layers of keratin. This results in conical scutes giving rise to the appearance of pyramids. It also puts an extra burden on the kidneys and other organs.
Calcium is also an important factor. In the wild the main sources are from the plants, the soil and in the water. Phosphorous plays a limiting role in calcium utilization. High levels of phosphorous leads to calcium being leached from the bones. A recent study showed that teenage girls are now showing signs of early osteoporosis. The relate it to drinking soda which are high in phosphoric acid. For our tortoises the main dietary source of phosphorous is protein. So once again high protein diets tie in. To counter act this and to get the calcium/phosphorous ratio to a healthy 2:1 , its is often recommended to dust all food with calcium (usually calcium carbonate). While superficially it does seem to have benefit, it has its own problems. Too much calcium results in secondary deficiencies of zinc, copper and iodine, malabsorption of essential fatty acids, and formation of calcium-containing bladder stones. Lack of calcium results in soft shells that often accompany pyramiding.
A far better way to provide calcium is to feed plants that are high in bioavailable calcium and leave cuttlebone with them at all times

Rocky my Leopard Tortoise enjoying
his cuttlebome. Click on the photo
to view it full size
Vitamin D3 is essential for proper calcium utilization. Tortoises produce their own from exposure to ultraviolet B rays . The ideal source is from exposure to the sun. However many calcium supplements come with D3. Its very easy to over supplement with D3. This can result in calcification of soft tissue. There are a number of bulbs available that provide UVB so D3 supplementation isn't necessary. For more info on the output of these bulbs visit http://russiantortoise.org/uvb.htm
An often overlooked factor is grain based diets. These are the pellet food that some claim to be essential to health. They typically contain soy, wheat and or rice. These are high in omega 6 fatty acids which has a negative effect on health. They also have an acidifying effect which causes a leaching of bone. They are high in phytates which binds calcium and other minerals. They also have an unfavorable ca/ph ratio and a low ca/mg ratio which has a negative impact on calcium metabolism.
"Cereal grains have been shown to cause their rachitogenic-
and osteomalacia-producing efects in spite of the presence of adequate sun-
shine "

"Consumption of high levels of whole grain cereal products impairs bone
metabolism not only by limiting calcium intake, but by indirectly altering
vitamin D metabolism."
from http://www.sawellnesscenter.com//nutrition/Diet/Cereal%20article-1.pdf
Exercise is very important. It speeds up metabolism. As mentioned before it increases the need for protein. It also causes healthy deposition of calcium in the bones.
Fiber is extremely important for grassland tortoises (as is the type of fiber):
"The cells of the lower bowel receive about 50% of their nutrition from the nutrients in ingesta (and 50% from the blood stream). They specifically need beta-hydroxybutyrate (a short-chain fatty acid that derives from the fermentation of fiber in the lower bowel). One can compare fermentation rates between pellets and the fiber lengths we use, and see a significant difference. The differences means that tortoises on our foods have healthier bowels, which translates into better stools, better abilities to resist and control parasite infestations, better energy metabolism, and better control of nitrogen metabolism (and hence kidney health). Moreover, more water is held in the lower bowel when they're fed the longer length forages, which helps again with water balance and hence kidney function."
Susan Donoghue, VMD, DACVN
Hydration is also important. It includes not just having enough water for drinking but humidity as well. A recent study showed that Sulcata kept at higher humidity levels resulted in less pyramiding than those kept in more arid conditions....in spite of a high protein diet. (diet paper)
Often overlooked is the effect of cool temperatures. Tortoises require a body temperature of 80-90°F to properly digest food. If kept too cool they will still eat and remain active. However they wont be able to properly digest their food and abosrb nutrients, including calcium.
For comparison , some normal sulcata and leopard tortoise adults:

Sulcata




old Leopard tortoise

©Joseph E Heinen DC




Copyright © 2000-2014 Joe Heinen DC.

 

[Yvonne G]

Food has very little to do with causing pyramiding. The most important factors, things we have more recently learned, are the correct temperatures, exercise, hydration and humidity (especially during the first year of life) and to a lower extent, food.

During a tortoise's first year of life, if he is kept in dry conditions, this forms the angle at which the scutes start stacking. Once this has started, it takes a very long time to get it straightened out. If you keep your baby in moist conditions and soak him daily, chances are good the carapace will grow smoothly.

You haven't been on the Forum very long, so you haven't had a chance yet to read what we've talked about. But pyramiding has been a very much talked of subject with many, many good threads, including pictures, showing the research and testing our members have done on this problem. Please be sure to read the "Important Threads" at the top of the Sulcata and Leopard sections for the most current info on preventing pyramiding.