Shell Health Concern

[SarahTorterra]

I got my 5.5 year old Sulcata A'tuin about six months ago from someone that was looking to rehome him. He's been growing rapidly since we've had him and has had pretty wide light colored growth rings on this shell.

A'tuin stays outside and grazes on grass when weather allows, but lives indoors over the winter with hanging UV lights and a space heater surrounded by a wire enclosure to keep him from touching it. However, he does like to sit near the heater and sometimes sleeps there. We feed him timothy hay and baby spring mix when he is indoors full time.

Recently, I noticed the spots shown in this picture where his shell seems to have split or flaked near the edges of some scutes. These spots do not feel soft and he does not react to those spots being touched. Based on reading other posts on this forum, it seems that these could be caused by too little moisture or being too close to his indoor heater over the winter. I'd like input from some of you who are more experienced with sulcatas as to whether you think one of these is the problem, or if you think it could it be something else. Also, is there anything I should do to help facilitate healing?

 

[Tom]

Can't tell from the pics. Where are you? Here in Southern CA they get rough growth lines due to the dry weather.

How close is he to the heater? What type of space heater? Show us a pic of this area?

 

[SarahTorterra]

Can't tell from the pics. Where are you? Here in Southern CA they get rough growth lines due to the dry weather.

How close is he to the heater? What type of space heater? Show us a pic of this area?

I'm in North Georgia, which is why he has to winter indoors, but can spend the rest of the year outside. I've circled the spots I'm concerned about on the picture below. The heater is a 1500w electric heater, which is there just to provide some ambient heat to the room. If he sits right against the barrier in front of the heater (which he sometimes does), he's about 4 inches from it.

 

[Tom]

I'm in North Georgia, which is why he has to winter indoors, but can spend the rest of the year outside. I've circled the spots I'm concerned about on the picture below. The heater is a 1500w electric heater, which is there just to provide some ambient heat to the room. If he sits right against the barrier in front of the heater (which he sometimes does), he's about 4 inches from it.

What type of heater is it? There are many types. Is it the one with the little coils that glow read and a little fan to blow the hot air? Or is it the type with the fins filled with oil?

Other than this ambient heat, does he have a basking area, or some place to warm up?

I see the spot you are talking about. That could be heat damage, or it could be rub marks from something.