Sulcata Shell Question

djtk92

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This is my sulcata Harold. I am wondering if his shell looks alright. His growth lines look super dryed out. Also I don't know if his scutes look the way they are suppose to. Do I need to soak him more? Does he need more calcium. He also has these parts that look damaged a little. He's been to the doctor last year for respiratory infection and is better now. He's out side in the summer and inside in the winter. I just need to know what may need correcting or if he needs another vet visit.
 

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Gillian M

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Welcome to the forum.

Harold is pyramiding. Do you give him daily soaks in warm water? If not, please do. (I live in Jordan where the climate is extremely dry, so in Summer I sometimes Oli - my beloved Greek tort - a soak twice a day. I also spray his enclosure with water daily).

Please read the "Beginners Mistakes" Thread, and keep us updated.

Good luck.
 

djtk92

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How long does it take to pyramid because that's what I told my husband. We've only had him a year.
Welcome to the forum.

Harold is pyramiding. Do you give him daily soaks in warm water? If not, please do. (I live in Jordan where the climate is extremely dry, so in Summer I sometimes Oli - my beloved Greek tort - a soak twice a day. I also spray his enclosure with water daily).

Please read the "Beginners Mistakes" Thread, and keep us updated.

Good luck.
 

Tom

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I can't open your pics because there are too many and they are too big and I'm in an area with weak signal, but pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. It has nothing to do with calcium. Pyramiding can start as soon as they start growing, right after hatching. Sadly, most of the care advice offered for this species out in the world is wrong. Its been wrong for decades, and only recently have some of us figured it out. Please give these a read for the current and correct care and feeding info:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
 

Gillian M

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I can't open your pics because there are too many and they are too big and I'm in an area with weak signal, but pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. It has nothing to do with calcium. Pyramiding can start as soon as they start growing, right after hatching. Sadly, most of the care advice offered for this species out in the world is wrong. Its been wrong for decades, and only recently have some of us figured it out. Please give these a read for the current and correct care and feeding info:
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
Thanks your quick answer as well as your help, Tom.
 

djtk92

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Thank you to everyone. I appreciate all of the information. My tortoises are 6 years old and 2 years old and I'm still learning, obviously. I love that I found this forum with great information and people. I will begin to correct his humidity.
 

Maro2Bear

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Greetings, welcome to the Forum!

Not sure where you live and have that big old Sully outside (great). Your Sully’s carapace definitely shows signs of being very dry (almost brittle) - torts this size are hard to easily soak, BUT you need to create a nice humid area. (Maybe set up a sprinkler on a timer). There are Sulcata’s out there with much worse pyramiding, so good that you are here now trying to get good info. Daily spraying down, nice warm, humid night box, a mud puddle or two for it to soak will go a long way.

Good luck - keep your Sully well hydrated with good soakings - Happy Torting.
 

TriciaStringer

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Could you update your profile to let us know what part of the US you are from? Climates vary greatly in the states. He does look very dry. Do you have a large watering hole for him in his enclosure? Try soaking him twice a week. You can use a qtip and coconut oil and rub it on his growth lines. That could help.
 

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