Shell is quite soft?

[leolias]

Hey! So I'm (16) a relatively new owner of a baby desert sulcata (3-4 months, gifted by someone whose pair hatched tons of them), and where I'm from there's really not a lot of people who keep tortoises, so I'm pretty lost. Its shell is slightly soft/squishy at the sides, but the top seems fine. It's still energetic and even appears more active than it was before, so there's nothing really wrong with its behavior. I had just done research and I'm realizing he likely hasn't gotten enough sun and calcium so I'm working on that (letting it outside in direct sunlight more + started feeding it eggshells since there's nothing immediately available anywhere I've looked) and I wanted to know if I'm on the right track or if there's anything I've overlooked? Maybe it's because I pick him up too often in those areas or something? i need help.. ..

 

[Sarah2020]

Hi and welcome. Is it possible to post pics of the tort, where is lives etc... the soft shell is calcium deficiency so your are right to focus on that. It will not fix overnight and takes time. They need calcium for bones, beak, claws and shell. Others with more sulcata knowledge can chime in as well. Thanks for taking this in and good luck as they get very big.
Re the sun , that needs shade and sun so ensure both are provided.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Hello and welcome!

You are correct that soft shell can be a sign of calcium deficiency. Just be careful with direct sunlight: always provide some shade for your tortoise (hatchlings overheat easily).

Also, sometimes people think that sulcatas come from desert and don't need drinking water and bathing. Such "dry start" can be harmful for tortoise internal organs, especially kidneys. This, in turn, results in inability to absorb calcium and soft shell. So, make sure to provide clean fresh water to your little tort (shallow clay/terracotta saucer sunken in substrate is the best option). Daily "soakings" for 20-30 minutes in warm water are also very important.

This care sheet: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-best-way-to-raise-a-sulcata-leopard-or-star-tortoise.181497/ gives a good overview of what's needed to raise a healthy sulcata. Give it a read and come back with any questions: we'll try to figure out what are the best available options.

 

[leolias]

Hi and welcome. Is it possible to post pics of the tort, where is lives etc... the soft shell is calcium deficiency so your are right to focus on that. It will not fix overnight and takes time. They need calcium for bones, beak, claws and shell. Others with more sulcata knowledge can chime in as well. Thanks for taking this in and good luck as they get very big.
Re the sun , that needs shade and sun so ensure both are provided.

This won't sound good at all and I'm aware that it's bad but I swear I'm working on it and I really am trying everything I can think of for this little tort, but rn it roams around in our garden (a couple feet wide so it's more than enough space) for abt 1-3 hrs a day depending on my schedule (i try to give it as much roaming time as possible, since i ALWAYS keep a close eye on it if it is roaming time), and then cooped up in a comparatively small plastic box the rest of the time I'm not looking (has decently medium-sized wood chips/bark it won't accidentally eat + a bit of soil as substrate, and I'm quite certain neither are toxic as far as I've researched?), said box has a big piece of wood that works as shade/a hiding spot, as well as a little water/food dish. It doesn't have heat/lighting, and it used to stay in the shade up until ≈a month ago; rn it's out in the sun for more exposure and is partially in the shade in case the hiding spot doesn't work too well. When we were given the tortoise, I honestly hadn't looked into it beforehand or even expected to suddenly have a tortoise that day, and I also didn't think I would be its main caretaker since I was under the impression that my mom was the one who really wanted it . I've grown attached to it ever since I was told it should be my responsibility and I'm really doing the best I'm able to do, especially since I'm aware my area is infamous for plenty of accidental/unrealized mishandling cases with animals. I do have a uvb lamp on the way (25w since it's still fairly small) to hopefully help with the lack of sun though. Thanks so much for telling me btw!!

 

[leolias]

Hello and welcome!

You are correct that soft shell can be a sign of calcium deficiency. Just be careful with direct sunlight: always provide some shade for your tortoise (hatchlings overheat easily).

Also, sometimes people think that sulcatas come from desert and don't need drinking water and bathing. Such "dry start" can be harmful for tortoise internal organs, especially kidneys. This, in turn, results in inability to absorb calcium and soft shell. So, make sure to provide clean fresh water to your little tort (shallow clay/terracotta saucer sunken in substrate is the best option). Daily "soakings" for 20-30 minutes in warm water are also very important.

This care sheet: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-best-way-to-raise-a-sulcata-leopard-or-star-tortoise.181497/ gives a good overview of what's needed to raise a healthy sulcata. Give it a read and come back with any questions: we'll try to figure out what are the best available options.

Thanks!! I've read the guide prior to posting, and luckily I've been giving it soaks every day since I started taking care of it. I'm 100% sure it hasn't been getting enough sun, as truthfully it still hasn't gotten heating/lighting in its enclosure and it used to be in the shade before I took over (25w uvb lamp is on the way though). About the enclosure, I'm aware it's bad but I'm doing everything I can right now to make sure it at least stays alive while I'm still unable to provide the standard I see around here:

As if now, it roams around in our garden (a couple feet wide so it's more than enoigh space) for abt 1-3 hrs a day depending on my schedule (i try to give it as much roaming time as possible, since i ALWAYS keep a close eye on it if it is roaming time), and then cooped up in a comparatively small plastic box the rest of the time I'm not looking (has decently medium-sized wood chips/bark it won't accidentally eat + a bit of soil as substrate, which isn't ideal but I've looked around shops and they didn't have anything, and at the very least I'm quite certain neither are toxic as far as I've researched?), said box has a big piece of wood that works as shade/a hiding spot, as well as a little water/food dish.

I know it was very irresponsible that I didn't prepare before getting the tortoise, but when we were given the tortoise, I honestly hadn't looked into it beforehand or even expected to suddenly have a tortoise that day, and I also didn't think I would be its main caretaker since I was under the impression that my mom was the one who really wanted it . I've grown attached to it since then and I'm really doing the best I'm able to do, especially since I'm aware my area is infamous for plenty of accidental mishandling cases with animals from a lack of info as to how to take proper care of a lot of them #£ well as a lack of local sources for a lot of the things needed. Thanks so much for the help !

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Welcome to the forum!

I do have a uvb lamp on the way (25w since it's still fairly small) to hopefully help with the lack of sun though.

Is it a tube style lamp or bulb shaped?

 

[leolias]

Welcome to the forum!

Is it a tube style lamp or bulb shaped?

Bulb, I've heard tube is better but i thought i ought to at least get bulb in the meantime since it seems to be the only one available for me as of now

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

Bulb, I've heard tube is better but i thought i ought to at least get bulb in the meantime since it seems to be the only one available for me as of now

In my opinion no light is better if it is one of those coil type bulbs.

 

[leolias]

In my opinion no light is better if it is one of those coil type bulbs.

It isn't!!

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Coiled bulbs can be used for smaller animals if you can measure actual UV output (they are far less predictable than tube lamps and margin of error is not very large).

With 1-3 hours of sunlight (between 9-11AM and 4-5PM) there should be enough UV exposure and you don't need a UVB lamp.

 

[leolias]

Coiled bulbs can be used for smaller animals if you can measure actual UV output (they are far less predictable than tube lamps and margin of error is not very large).

With 1-3 hours of sunlight (between 9-11AM and 4-5PM) there should be enough UV exposure and you don't need a UVB lamp.

Ahh I see, tysm!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hopefully these links might help too!

I made this housing thread based on the forums cares information and added visual aids, it covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check your bulbs), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes different closed chamber options, some definitely work better than others

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope you like them, welcome to the forum

 

[leolias]

Hopefully these links might help too!

I made this housing thread based on the forums cares information and added visual aids, it covers correct equipment(uvb, heating bulbs, lighting etc, definitely double check your bulbs), correct levels, importance of a closed chamber for younger tortoises(only way to maintain the humidity you need), appropriately maintaining the humidity, safe substrates, there’s lots of visual examples for everything, and a really handy diet link to check out! If going with a greenhouse, the lower the ceiling height, whilst still allowing for recommended bulb height, the better! But I’ll add some more ideas below for closed chambers

Leopard/sulcata starter

Hello there! In this thread I’m going to include some information below on how I’d personally tackle an indoor starter set up for a leopard/sulcata until they’re bigger. Hopefully it helps give people some ideas!” I know it looks like a lot to go over, I like to make sure all bases are covered...

tortoiseforum.org

This includes different closed chamber options, some definitely work better than others

Visual inspiration

Hi guys! I’ve had some lovely messages complimenting me on my care sheets I made for all the visuals they include! That makes me so happy because as a visual learner myself, that was my goal🥰 I’ve recently had some requests for some more visual inspiration for set ups that can house babies/...

tortoiseforum.org

Lastly, this one here is probably most important to go over and keep on hand, it’ll help you avoid the wrong bulbs, substrates, housing etc, I always encourage double checking purchases on the forum too before buying

Common keeping errors

Hello everyone! I’d been a long time lurker on this site long before joining just under a year ago now, over that time I’ve seen these husbandry issues come up time and time again, sometimes with dire consequences☹️ I thought this thread might serve as a good visual guide for these common...

tortoiseforum.org

Hope you like them, welcome to the forum

Thank you so much!!

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Thank you so much!!

No problem, glad you’ve joined the forum