my russian tortoise's (male) shell has two pretty big scares. its like the shell got scraped off almost. i didnt have when he was a baby i got him about a year ago from my neighbors. i would post pics but i am new and dont know how to.
shell problems
- Thread starter 123456
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Hi 123456! Welcome to the forum. I haven't posted pics myself in a long time, but you can find the instructions on how to on this thread: http://tortoiseforum.org/thread-5245.html We do so love photos here so hopefully this helps you get started on posting away. Others more familiar with russians will respond to your shell concerns, but it would be helpful to know how old, if captive bred (cb) or wild caught (wc) and what his set up and diet are now. Hope this helps get you started
A lot of the wild caught Russian tortoises that come into this country have or have had shell rot because of the horrendous conditions prior to and during shipping. If there is no smell or softness about the scarred parts, then its old shell rot and nothing to worry about. (and nothing to do for it)
Yvonne
Yvonne
thank you for the help from both of you and thats what i think it is old shell rot. and idk if he was captive breed or wild caught bkuz i got him from my neighbors and they got him when he was 10 years old from their freinds. and he is also pretty small. hes about 4.5-5 inches.
here is one of the scarres on his shell.
here is one of the scarres on his shell.
He's definitely wild caught. Like 90% of Russians are. They are starting to be more readily available CB though....
I'm not sure about his shell. It does kind of look like shell rot to me.
I'm not sure about his shell. It does kind of look like shell rot to me.
But if it is rot, it needs to be treated, and he should be separated from your other Russian, before she gets it as well. Just because he eats, doesn't mean its not a problem....I'm sure if you had a patch of rotting skin on you, you would want it fixed.
I am not 100% sure that is is rot though...usually if it was old scarring, it would be one solid color, not all mottled like that. But I will wait for a second opinion on here, from another member....before you start treating it or not.
I am not 100% sure that is is rot though...usually if it was old scarring, it would be one solid color, not all mottled like that. But I will wait for a second opinion on here, from another member....before you start treating it or not.
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