Scutes far apart

[ivastortoiseivica]

Is it normal for my hermanns tortoises scutes to be this far apart?
The pink spot on her back has been there ever since I got her, I suspect somebody painted that on with nail polish. Is it safe if I remove that with acetone free nail remover?

 

[TammyJ]

Hi and welcome. Don't use nail polish remover on the tortoise please. Calling some experts...@YvonneG @zovick

 

[ryan57]

But yes. They grow from in-between their scutes. If they are spreading out and not smooth, the tortoise / humidity is too dry. Make sure in is in an enclosed chamber with high humidity, you watch the tortoise drink AND soak daily in warm water just below the chin.

 

[wellington]

I have no idea if there is a safe way to remove the polish. Eventually it will wear off and I would suggest just letting that happen.
As stated, that is where the new growth will come in. It may be the angle but there seems to be some a start of pyramiding. It's not happened yet but be sure to have him in a closed chamber enclosure with 80% humidity. Also do not use a mercury vapor bulb, halogen bulb or spot bulbs.

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm not sure, but I THINK you're not giving the tortoise a humid enough environment. I'm thinking the space between the scutes should be up level or even with the scutes, not sunk in like they are. Maybe the sunken growth lines is how pyramiding first starts, and pyramiding happens when they're not kept moist enough.

 

[zovick]

Is it normal for my hermanns tortoises scutes to be this far apart?
The pink spot on her back has been there ever since I got her, I suspect somebody painted that on with nail polish. Is it safe if I remove that with acetone free nail remover?View attachment 366104

I usually remove markings like the one your tortoise has by gently scraping them off with the sharp tip of a sewing needle or a pin. You can also use the back side of a small sharp tipped knife blade, such as that of a paring knife. Doing this takes a bit of time and patience so I recommend doing a bit every day or two until you get the whole thing removed.

That marking might not be nail polish. I know some breeders mark their tortoises with paint markers. You could possibly try the nail polish remover (or even a paint thinner) if you are extremely careful not to get any into the tortoise's eyes, mouth, or nose and don't make it breathe the fumes. I would use a cotton swab to apply the polish remover or paint thinner and do it outdoors or with a fan circulating fresh air to the front of the tortoise.

Alternatively, you can simply wait and it will eventually wear away, but that can take quite a long time in some cases.

 

[ivastortoiseivica]

I'm not sure, but I THINK you're not giving the tortoise a humid enough environment. I'm thinking the space between the scutes should be up level or even with the scutes, not sunk in like they are. Maybe the sunken growth lines is how pyramiding first starts, and pyramiding happens when they're not kept moist enough.

Alright... I've been keeping my tortoise in an open enclosure in my room. The humidity where I live is at 80% most of the time, and I fill a ceramic water holder up and put it on my heater, just in case... I mist my tortoises enclosure 3 times a day and keep the water bowl constantly clean, she likes to hang in there. I bathe her every 2nd day. I also mist her food to keep her extra hydrated. But maybe it could really be pyramiding. This is my first tortoise ever and I still don't have the full hang of this. Since I can't afford to get a really good enclosure for her, I made a diy one. Would it be okay if I just covered the enclosure up with something solid and kept a hole for the bulbs? In the meantime I'll be building a better enclosure.

 

[zovick]

Alright... I've been keeping my tortoise in an open enclosure in my room. The humidity where I live is at 80% most of the time, and I fill a ceramic water holder up and put it on my heater, just in case... I mist my tortoises enclosure 3 times a day and keep the water bowl constantly clean, she likes to hang in there. I bathe her every 2nd day. I also mist her food to keep her extra hydrated. But maybe it could really be pyramiding. This is my first tortoise ever and I still don't have the full hang of this. Since I can't afford to get a really good enclosure for her, I made a diy one. Would it be okay if I just covered the enclosure up with something solid and kept a hole for the bulbs? In the meantime I'll be building a better enclosure.

That would work. You could also get a portable plastic grow tent/greenhouse and put it over the entire enclosure to maintain humidity.