Star tortoise is peeling off his skin.

Siya Sharma

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Hi
I have a star tortoise. From past six mnth he is peeling off his skin.
I was thinking its normal but he is continously peeling off his skin and skin getting dry.
Is this any skin problem or normal behavior? IMG_20171215_190450_HHT.jpg
 

Siya Sharma

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More info please. How are you housing him? Temps, humidity, type of lighting and heating your using?
Hi,
I have kept him in a tray.
Temp is 30-35'c
Humidity is 36%
Lighting and heating is natural.. I am not using any extra UV light or heating equipment.
Diet: cucumber or some times tomatoes and ladyfingers. But he likes cucumber very much.
I am soaking him in water for 5-10 min every day.
 

wellington

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I don't know what you mean by tray.
The diet needs to be improved greatly. Cucumber is mostly water. Tomatoes are bad, too acidic and I don't know what lady fingers are.
@Tom @Markw84 can help with diet and enclosure. Please post a pic of the tray and lady fingers so we know what your talking about please.
 

TriciaStringer

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I don't know what you mean by tray.
The diet needs to be improved greatly. Cucumber is mostly water. Tomatoes are bad, too acidic and I don't know what lady fingers are.
@Tom @Markw84 can help with diet and enclosure. Please post a pic of the tray and lady fingers so we know what your talking about please.
I think lady fingers are okra. At least that is what our Chinese exchange student called okra.
 

wellington

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Siya Sharma

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Tom

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N

no one

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Your little Star needs a closed chamber, more humidity and daily soaks for about 30 or 40 minutes. Not just a better diet. Please read the links provided above. Your Stars live depends on it. They are sensitive!!
 

wellington

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Thanks.. This page really helps..
Should I gibe him some medicine..
No, read Toms threads and make any adjustments to both enclosure, care and diet and give that some time. If the skin under the peeling skin looks a little raw or sore you could rub a little antibiotic cream on it as long as it can't get into his eyes, mouth or nose.
 

Siya Sharma

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No, read Toms threads and make any adjustments to both enclosure, care and diet and give that some time. If the skin under the peeling skin looks a little raw or sore you could rub a little antibiotic cream on it as long as it can't get into his eyes, mouth or nose.
Which type of antibiotic cream I can use?
 

wellington

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Any over the counter for humans. If the area doesn't look raw I wouldn't use anything at this point. If it does look raw, keep it clean and use the antibiotic cream.
Try posting a pic of the peeling area.
 

Siya Sharma

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Any over the counter for humans. If the area doesn't look raw I wouldn't use anything at this point. If it does look raw, keep it clean and use the antibiotic cream.
Try posting a pic of the peeling area.
Below is the pics IMG_20180425_212926.jpgIMG_20180425_212955.jpg
 
N

no one

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Dry, flaky skin can come from dehydration or improper diet casade (IDC). Or from stress. Does he/she has a hiding spot?
 

Siya Sharma

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Dry, flaky skin can come from dehydration or improper diet casade (IDC). Or from stress. Does he/she has a hiding spot?
Yes.. He always hide himself under cloth while sleeping.
And from past few days he is continuously sleeping..only when i gave him food he wake up and again sleep.
 

Siya Sharma

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He/she looks dry... please start soaking daily for 30 or 40 minutes. And make the changes explained in the threads that are given to you.

https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-star-tortoise.159167/
This is one of them.

My first little Star died because it was kept poorly and way to dry before I got him. That is how serious it can be.
Yeah sure.. I will start soaking him for 30-40 minutes... Currently i am soaking him only for 5-10 min... Which is not enough for him..

So.. Should i soak him for 30 - 40 minutes continuously for divide the timing into day and evening.?
 
N

no one

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If your Tortoise is sleeping more I don't think that is a good sign.

You should soak 30 or 40 minutes at a time.
 
N

no one

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These are foods you can get in India. I copied them from another member on the forum.

Methi (fenugreek)
Cilantro (coriander)
Gongura (sour leaf)
Grape leaves
Turnip leaves
Any kind of squash, melon, or cucumber leaves and stems (not the fruit)
Any kind of cactus
Hibiscus leaves and flowers
Any kind of mallow leaf (okra; jute)
Water spinach (this has many names)
Shahi or any cress
Rocket
Sweet potato leaves and stems (might be called yam)
Occasionally the leaves and leaves of broad beans or other beans
 

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