Shell conditioner

[Skip K]

Recently received an ad about “Shell Conditioner”...which got me researching it ( including threads on this forum). My question for the group is about any possible benefit. Since our torts are indoors for months because of our location I wonder about shell dessication from heat lamps. The shells look ok...from humidity in the enclosures and other things I do...but I still wonder about the effect of basking lights and CHES. What’s everyones opinion on if a shell conditioner would be beneficial or not at adding extra moisture to the shell? I really don’t care if the torts look “shiny” or not. I would only use it during the cold months the torts are indoors as they get plenty of moisture in the summer from humidity, their mini ponds and mud pits

 

[Tortisedonk7]

I have seen on here that some some people like to use extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil or pure unsent mineral oil. I think it’s like once a month application.
I would prefer to use coconut oil, but where I am the ants would be all over him in minutes.

 

[Tom]

I did some growth experiments with this stuff years ago on some hatching sulcatas. My conclusion was that it does no harm, but whether or not there was any benefit was questionable. I've read other threads on the topic, and some people do feel it is beneficial.

 

[Skip K]

I did some growth experiments with this stuff years ago on some hatching sulcatas. My conclusion was that it does no harm, but whether or not there was any benefit was questionable. I've read other threads on the topic, and some people do feel it is beneficial.

Tom, guess I’ll be a test bed. Not gonna use it on the little sulkies...but I’ll try it on the much larger Redfoots and Leopard. Only info I can find in reviews are “leaves the shell shiny”...which I don’t care about. I don’t have the luxury of keeping them outdoors year round...and if I can give them a little extra benefit when they must be kept indoors for so many months...I’ll try. I feel comfortable with your observations about such products.

 

[Tortisedonk7]

Recently received an ad about “Shell Conditioner”...which got me researching it ( including threads on this forum). My question for the group is about any possible benefit. Since our torts are indoors for months because of our location I wonder about shell dessication from heat lamps. The shells look ok...from humidity in the enclosures and other things I do...but I still wonder about the effect of basking lights and CHES. What’s everyones opinion on if a shell conditioner would be beneficial or not at adding extra moisture to the shell? I really don’t care if the torts look “shiny” or not. I would only use it during the cold months the torts are indoors as they get plenty of moisture in the summer from humidity, their mini ponds and mud pits

Would you mind posting a few pics of the ‘mini ponds and mud pits’ I’m gathering ideas for when I build a new outdoor space in 6 months.

 

[Skip K]

Would you mind posting a few pics of the ‘mini ponds and mud pits’ I’m gathering ideas for when I build a new outdoor space in 6 months.

I can do the mini pond...but the ground is frozen so there is no mud. I made “burrows” in the enclosures...for cooler areas for the non burrowing Redfoots to hunker down in our intense summer heat...and when it rains...they collect some water and become muddy which the Redfoots love to wallow in. I’ll take photos of the man made burrows. Our Leopards just seem to like shady above ground areas in the summer

 

[Skip K]

I can do the mini pond...but the ground is frozen so there is no mud. I made “burrows” in the enclosures...for cooler areas for the non burrowing Redfoots to hunker down in our intense summer heat...and when it rains...they collect some water and become muddy which the Redfoots love to wallow in. I’ll take photos of the man made burrows. Our Leopards just seem to like shady above ground areas in the summer

I remembered I posted photos of the recent enclosure build on this site. It shows the enclosure 5x20 feet and the man made burrows...but I’ll take a pic of the mini pond tomorrow. Do a search for “Nearly Ready To Begin Construction”....and scroll down to see the finished enclosure and burrows

 

[KarenSoCal]

I use coconut oil weekly on my Burmese star.

And read this post...

Welcome to the Family - New Burmese Stars

Hello all, I recently acquired 3 hatchling Burmese Star tortoises from @Markw84, as well as one of his smart enclosures! It was a pleasure doing business with Mark. His closed chamber smart enclosures are extremely well built and very aesthetically pleasing. I can tell he put a lot of work into...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[jsheffield]

I use a homemade shell conditioner on my torts (4 Russians, a Redfoot, and an MEP) on a monthly basis; it's made from coconut oil, almond oil, and olive oil.

Jamie

 

[JoesMum]

I’m in the “waste of time and money” camp. I prefer my torts ”natural”.

They don’t need polishing like ornaments

 

[Toddrickfl1]

I've used coconut oil on my Torts for a couple years now. I tend to think it does help keep the carapace moisturized. I can't say for certain if it's related, but both of my Reds have grown perfectly smooth.

 

[Maro2Bear]

I have seen on here that some some people like to use extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil or pure unsent mineral oil. I think it’s like once a month application.
I would prefer to use coconut oil, but where I am the ants would be all over him in minutes.

You definitely want to stay far away from any “mineral oil” product for a tortoise shell (scented or not).

➡️➡️ Mineral oil is a clear, odorless liquid and a common ingredient in a variety of cosmetics and personal care products. Mineral oil is made from highly refined, purified and processed petroleum.

 

[Yvonne G]

Mineral oil is non-absorptive, which means it's good to use INTERNALLY because is coats the digestive tract blockage and helps the blockage to pass, but it will do nothing EXTERNALLY because it doesn't absorb. Cold pressed coconut oil seems to be beneficial to the new growth on tortoise shells. Read this thread:

Coconut Oil

Hi everyone, so after reading a couple threads about conditioners for the shell of our tortoises I might have a good debatable topic here. I decided to do a little research about cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil. After carefully considering my sources. I have concluded the following: this...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[Skip K]

Mineral is non-absorptive, which means it's good to use INTERNALLY because is coats the digestive tract blockage and helps the blockage to pass, but it will do nothing EXTERNALLY because it doesn't absorb. Cold pressed coconut oil seems to be beneficial to the new growth on tortoise shells. Read this thread:

Coconut Oil

Hi everyone, so after reading a couple threads about conditioners for the shell of our tortoises I might have a good debatable topic here. I decided to do a little research about cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil. After carefully considering my sources. I have concluded the following: this...

www.tortoiseforum.org

Mineral oil and and helping with a possible blockage...this leads me to another question...Yvonne, lol. I’ll post it in the enclosure catagory

 

[Kothy]

I use coconut oil om my Cherry heads, it works great and I noticed, my babies used to get little tiny bugs on there shells, Haven't seen any since I started the oil. I do it once a month, they actually like the polishing, they. seem to love the petting.

 

[Skip K]

Would you mind posting a few pics of the ‘mini ponds and mud pits’ I’m gathering ideas for when I build a new outdoor space in 6 months.

Here is one of the mini ponds...with my size 12 shoe for scale. And to reiterate...you can search “Nearly Ready To Begin Construction”...if you scroll down the thread...and see the finished enclosure and burrows I made. I have stones and flat “beach “ rocks in the bottom. As the torts grow...I can remove stones and increase water depth

 

[Guts]

The zoo I interned at did a once monthly coconut oil rub on the shells of their large aldabras and Galapagos tortoises, it seemed to help stop them from getting that dry dusty look in the hotter drier months. They also smelled wonderful afterwords lol

 

[Tim Carlisle]

I've caught soooo much flack over this subject on other forums because folks insist that torts can breathe thru their shell. lol. I kindly tell them that I've been trying to breathe thru my fingernails for years, with no luck.