I got my Russian tortoise about three months ago. His shell didn't look too great then, but I'm noticing that the 'flaking' isn't getting better. Could this be shell rot, or shedding from growth? I got him from a pet store where they said he had been for about a year. They had no idea on origin or age of my guy. He has grown since I've got him, eats well, stays active. He's soaked about 2-3 times per week.
Shell condition, us it shell rot or growth
- Thread starter Casey4651
- Start date
That is a perfectly normal Russian’s shell. They don’t grow as smoothly as other species.
The wild caught ones will have years of wear and tear as well.
Shell rot starts on the plastron not on top and there is absolutely no sign of it there.
We are happy to look over photos of your enclosure and lighting to see if there are improvements that could be made.
I recommend you read the TFO care guides and compare them with your setup.
They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.
Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
The wild caught ones will have years of wear and tear as well.
Shell rot starts on the plastron not on top and there is absolutely no sign of it there.
We are happy to look over photos of your enclosure and lighting to see if there are improvements that could be made.
I recommend you read the TFO care guides and compare them with your setup.
They're written by species experts working hard to correct the outdated information widely available on the internet and from pet stores and, sadly, from some breeders and vets too.
Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
