Shell damage

[Peggy's Peacock Palace]

I picked up two 11 year old sulcattas. They are brothers together since hatch. They fought bad. Both have significant shell damage but one is way worse. Since I'm not an idiot they are now separated. But is there anything i can do for them? I noticed it feels hot (or warmer anyway) in the areas where the damage is so I'm assuming they lose heat and can't afford to do that in the winter. Will the shells ever mend on their own? Also i read they need soaked regularly but that's hard to do when it's cold....???

 

[wellington]

Wow poor things. They don't look like new wounds and time is what is needed. They will heal just will take a long time as they heal slow.

 

[TammyJ]

Hi. Can we see pictures of the whole tortoises, each one? And soaking daily in warm water is probably the most important thing you can do right now for them. Hope you have the time and resources to deal with this effectively! Thanks!

 

[Peggy's Peacock Palace]

Hi. Can we see pictures of the whole tortoises, each one? And soaking daily in warm water is probably the most important thing you can do right now for them. Hope you have the time and resources to deal with this effectively! Thanks!

I'm not really sure how to accomplish the soaking as they are too heavy to pick up and put in a pool. I can wet the ground? But it'll be kind of cold and so i don't know if they will go in it. i Will try to get pics later after they come out

 

[Tom]

I'm not really sure how to accomplish the soaking as they are too heavy to pick up and put in a pool. I can wet the ground? But it'll be kind of cold and so i don't know if they will go in it. i Will try to get pics later after they come out

To soak them in winter, you need a large stock tank or cement mixing tub, warm water from the tap, the heat of mid day, and someone to help you lift them in and out.

You can also hydrate them through their food. Wet the food before they eat it and mix in wet foods like cucumber and lettuce to they other better foods. Spineless opuntia pads are also good for hydration.

Keeping them warm shouldn't be an issue with the right housing. Here is an example of how to do a double box with one heater:

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Peggy's Peacock Palace]

To soak them in winter, you need a large stock tank or cement mixing tub, warm water from the tap, the heat of mid day, and someone to help you lift them in and out.

You can also hydrate them through their food. Wet the food before they eat it and mix in wet foods like cucumber and lettuce to they other better foods. Spineless opuntia pads are also good for hydration.

Keeping them warm shouldn't be an issue with the right housing. Here is an example of how to do a double box with one heater:

Double Door Night Box

As the years have gone by and I build more of these boxes, I learn more and more each time. This one is the latest and I incorporated everything I've learned over the years. I also tried to take lots of pics so I can explain in more detail some of what is going on. It will take multiple posts to...

tortoiseforum.org

I do feed wet food. I cut back the past few days cause ppl were saying NOT to feed those foods. I will go back to them. Thank you

 

[Yvonne G]

All of that damage is old, and what you see now is the new growth keratin. There is nothing you can or need to do about it. It will never look like the original shell.