Shell Questions with Pics

[Sggatsmit]

Got this little guy, a Western Hermann’s tortoise, and I have some questions about whether his shell is healthy or not. I’m a one-time tortoise owner so I’m not experienced in knowing what problems look like, but I don’t think I see any pyramiding. However, I’m concerned about two things: 1) the ridges along his scutes and 2) the crack/separation/line between his costal and marginal scutes, which is only present on one side of his body (see second pic). Can anyone tell me if these are concerning or if they are normal, and whether you notice anything else? Also, can anyone recommend a vet in or near southern Indiana (located in Columbus, halfway between Indianapolis and Louisville).

 

[EricW]

Welcome! This tortoise is displaying characteristics of not being kept properly. It does have some pyramiding, overgrown beak, and I will let others comment on the crack. You will need to get this tortoise properly kept and conditions will improve. I am sure others will chime in, but please read the following:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[Sggatsmit]

Welcome! This tortoise is displaying characteristics of not being kept properly. It does have some pyramiding, overgrown beak, and I will let others comment on the crack. You will need to get this tortoise properly kept and conditions will improve. I am sure others will chime in, but please read the following:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

www.tortoiseforum.org

Welcome! This tortoise is displaying characteristics of not being kept properly. It does have some pyramiding, overgrown beak, and I will let others comment on the crack. You will need to get this tortoise properly kept and conditions will improve. I am sure others will chime in, but please read the following:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. What is...

www.tortoiseforum.org

Thank you! I see some things in here I’ve come across and some I hadn’t, so this is helpful. Hopefully can get the little guy on the right track!

 

[EricW]

Please come back and ask more questions after you have digested the link and able to get him on the right track husbandry wise. The beak will improve and the new growth on the shell will be great when brought into the correct care. Good luck with him.

Also, can you get a pick of the plastron (belly) of the tortoise and a picture from the rear? You may have an eastern and not a western. These pictures will help to identify.

 

[zovick]

Got this little guy, a Western Hermann’s tortoise, and I have some questions about whether his shell is healthy or not. I’m a one-time tortoise owner so I’m not experienced in knowing what problems look like, but I don’t think I see any pyramiding. However, I’m concerned about two things: 1) the ridges along his scutes and 2) the crack/separation/line between his costal and marginal scutes, which is only present on one side of his body (see second pic). Can anyone tell me if these are concerning or if they are normal, and whether you notice anything else? Also, can anyone recommend a vet in or near southern Indiana (located in Columbus, halfway between Indianapolis and Louisville).View attachment 357204View attachment 357205

The top picture shows a profile outline which indicates very possible MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease). Is the tortoise able to get up on all four legs and walk around normally or does it tend to pull itself along using just the front legs?

You are doing well by coming here for information. You can search for a good reptile vet yourself by going on this site: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

Just enter your town, state, and zip code plus the number of miles you are willing to drive to see the vet. Hint, it may be necessary to go a fairly good distance depending on your location. Anther option would be to go to a veterinary school with an exotics department if there is one near you.

 

[Yvonne G]

The shell areas you're concerned about are new growth areas that are too dry. Your light may be the culprit. What type light are you using?

 

[Sggatsmit]

It’s a 100w mercury vapor bulb and the basking spot is at 90 degrees. Dryness overall makes sense. The setup he is in is a nice tortoise table, but the substrate (seems to be a mix of soil, sand, and maybe peat moss?) is rock hard and totally dry so I’m guessing maybe there’s not been much attention to humidity. Based on the care sheet posted above, it does sound like a different light setup might be a good idea. Open to suggestions and thanks so much for commenting!

 

[Sggatsmit]

The shell areas you're concerned about are new growth areas that are too dry. Your light may be the culprit. What type light are you using?

The top picture shows a profile outline which indicates very possible MBD (Metabolic Bone Disease). Is the tortoise able to get up on all four legs and walk around normally or does it tend to pull itself along using just the front legs?

You are doing well by coming here for information. You can search for a good reptile vet yourself by going on this site: https://arav.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=3661

Just enter your town, state, and zip code plus the number of miles you are willing to drive to see the vet. Hint, it may be necessary to go a fairly good distance depending on your location. Anther option would be to go to a veterinary school with an exotics department if there is one near you.

Oh no! Obviously that’s my worst fear for him. I’ll move vet visit up the priority list and thanks for the link. I can say he doesn’t show any problems to my untrained eye with walking. Gets up quickly on all fours, moves all of them evenly, and is surprisingly fast.

 

[Yvonne G]

We have recently discovered that the MVB are too dessicating, and it's better to use a different type of UVB light.