I have a young Sulcata that was given to me last winter. He was estimated to be 6-8 months old, so i'd just call him a yearling now. He was in good condition when I got him, no signs of MBD, etc.
I was keeping him indoors and the humidity was only 50-60%. He had good temps and a UV light plus the opportunity to get some natural sunshine once the weather warmed up. He eats weeds and grass from my yard along with hibiscus flowers and leaves, and a bit of fruit 3x week. I moved him outside a few weeks ago. Now he has 70-90% humidity, sunshine all the time, and non stop grazing. I still supplement hibiscus and a little fruit (not much, 10% of diet).
About a month ago I increased the amount I fed him....doubling it I guess. He had a growth spurt of tortoise proportions. Noticeable, but not huge. His plastron had been soft before, but naturally soft like a hatchling. Now I'm noticing that it is still soft along the line such as a growth zone or growth plates in the center. It seems softer than necessary on the plastron near the tail, the two little scutes, and on the carapace by the head and tail. Is the result of sudden growth or a lack of calcium? I haven't used much calcium supplementation because I thought the greens I was feeding had adequate calcium. I did add calcium to the fruit. He seems fine otherwise, active and eating well, and pooping.
I was keeping him indoors and the humidity was only 50-60%. He had good temps and a UV light plus the opportunity to get some natural sunshine once the weather warmed up. He eats weeds and grass from my yard along with hibiscus flowers and leaves, and a bit of fruit 3x week. I moved him outside a few weeks ago. Now he has 70-90% humidity, sunshine all the time, and non stop grazing. I still supplement hibiscus and a little fruit (not much, 10% of diet).
About a month ago I increased the amount I fed him....doubling it I guess. He had a growth spurt of tortoise proportions. Noticeable, but not huge. His plastron had been soft before, but naturally soft like a hatchling. Now I'm noticing that it is still soft along the line such as a growth zone or growth plates in the center. It seems softer than necessary on the plastron near the tail, the two little scutes, and on the carapace by the head and tail. Is the result of sudden growth or a lack of calcium? I haven't used much calcium supplementation because I thought the greens I was feeding had adequate calcium. I did add calcium to the fruit. He seems fine otherwise, active and eating well, and pooping.