Shell Growth

[Emmon91]

Hey all,
I have had Sherlock, my dwarf Hermann for about 4 months now. When I got him his shell was not completely smooth but as he is growing it seems to be getting worse. Could someone please let me know if this normal or if there is some pyramiding going on. I have included some recent pictures of Sherlock
Thank you

 

[Tom]

He is pyramided, but it does not appear to be getting worse, or better. Pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. That dry bedding in your photo is a big contributor. Do you have a humid hide?

 

[HermanniChris]

Certainly is pyramided. I agree with Tom in that the substrate isn't helping the issue. A humid hide and a switch to a better ground cover is a good idea. Try a 50/50 top soil-play sand mix. The tortoise can then burrow into it which will be beneficial. Also you should know, there is no such thing as a dwarf Hermann's tortoise. I assume you are referring to him being a western Hermann's (Testudo hermanni hermanni). Although this subspecies typically grows to a smaller size when compared to their eastern cousins, they are by no means dwarves. Some actually get quite large. You can find out more about this online and also on my site hermannihaven.com

Hope this helps.

 

[Emmon91]

Hi guys, its good to hear that you don't think that the pyramiding isn't getting worse. Since these pictures I have swapped out the aspen bedding to a substrate called herbifloor, which is specially made for tortoises. He has always had a humid hide since I have had him, that has moss in it. The herbifloor seems keep his enclosure a bit more humid. Have either of you heard of this herifloor? What do you think of this product?
Thanks for all your info, it has made me feel a bit better.

 

[Tom]

We don't have that product over here. Can you tell us what it is? What are the ingredients?

 

[Emmon91]

We don't have that product over here. Can you tell us what it is? What are the ingredients?

I have no idea it doesn't say anything on the bag I got it in. all I know is that it safe for them to eat. it looks like compressed grass pellets or something.

 

[mike taylor]

It sounds like rabbit pellets witch is not a good substrate. It will mold . If you can't get coco coir or cypress mulch I would use dirt from my yard as long as its not sand . Freezing it before you put it in the enclosure will help kill anything that could be living in it . Post a pictures of the substrate you are using .

 

[Emmon91]

It sounds like rabbit pellets witch is not a good substrate. It will mold . If you can't get coco coir or cypress mulch I would use dirt from my yard as long as its not sand . Freezing it before you put it in the enclosure will help kill anything that could be living in it . Post a pictures of the substrate you are using .

I did try coco coir and that got a white fluff on it. The herbifloor claims to be especially for tortoises. I feel like i'm doing everything right except the substrate. nothing I try seems to be perfect. =[

 

[Tom]

Compressed grass pellets cannot be wet or they will disintegrate and mold. You need a substrate that can be kept damp and that he can burrow into. Do they have something called "Eco-Earth" there? It is basically dry compressed bricks of ground up coco coir. You rehydrate it in water and it expands tremendously. I put about 6" of the loose stuff into the enclosure and then hand pack it down. This reduces the mess. Then you just need to add water as needed to keep it damp as it dries over time. He will be able to burrow into this and make his own little micro climate. Sometimes large blocks of this can be found at garden centers for pretty cheap, compared to the pet store prices.

If you get an opaque dishwashing tub, or something similar, flip it upside down and cut out a door hole you will have a great humid hide. Just put it over some damp substrate and he will have a humid retreat that will help him grow smoother from this point forward.

 

[Emmon91]

Compressed grass pellets cannot be wet or they will disintegrate and mold. You need a substrate that can be kept damp and that he can burrow into. Do they have something called "Eco-Earth" there? It is basically dry compressed bricks of ground up coco coir. You rehydrate it in water and it expands tremendously. I put about 6" of the loose stuff into the enclosure and then hand pack it down. This reduces the mess. Then you just need to add water as needed to keep it damp as it dries over time. He will be able to burrow into this and make his own little micro climate. Sometimes large blocks of this can be found at garden centers for pretty cheap, compared to the pet store prices.

If you get an opaque dishwashing tub, or something similar, flip it upside down and cut out a door hole you will have a great humid hide. Just put it over some damp substrate and he will have a humid retreat that will help him grow smoother from this point forward.

Yeah Tom, that was what I was using, I found that there was white mould around the enclosure. this worried me so I removed it straight away. this was after a pretty short time as well. The stuff I used was from ikea so maybe it wasn't sterile or I was keeping it to moist. I will try again with some specialist stuff from a pet shop.

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It sounds like rabbit pellets witch is not a good substrate. It will mold . If you can't get coco coir or cypress mulch I would use dirt from my yard as long as its not sand . Freezing it before you put it in the enclosure will help kill anything that could be living in it . Post a pictures of the substrate you are using .

Here is the picture you asked for Mike. =]

 

[laurenh]

Try top soil. My hermanns love it! Its cheap and doesnt mold (mine hasnt anyway)

 

[Jabuticaba]

Try top soil. My hermanns love it! Its cheap and doesnt mold (mine hasnt anyway)

I concur. Top soil and peat: no mould, no smell, no need to replace (as long as you have a big enough enclosure), easy to keep moist.

 

[Pokeymeg]

Definitely change your substrate to something suggested here. Whoever claimed those pellets are 'for tortoises' when they sold them should be ashamed of themselves!

 

[laurenh]

Its cheap and they love it...winner all round