Tortoise Leg Scales Breaking...Help!

[toastermrvl]

Hello! I am new to the page and we have a Red-Footed Tortoise.

Recently we have noticed the arms of the tortoise, Shelldone, have their scales bent and sometimes fully broken off. We are not sure what could be causing it...could it be diet...it biting its legs...climbing (wooden enclosure)... needing more wetness/water (we spray down the enclosure multiple times a day and it always has water and has consistent soaks)...or is it some sickness we are unaware of. Attached is an image - hopefully someone has some advice?

 

[wellington]

@ZEROPILOT

 

[Yvonne G]

In my opinion the tortoise is scraping those legs on a hard surface. Maybe trying to climb the sides and slipping down, rubbing the scales backwards???

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Is any part of his enclosure wire mesh?
Can you photograph the enclosure so that we can get a better theory?
Also. You need a CLOSED CHAMBER enclosure with a Redfoot tortoise. It's the only way to maintain your 80% plus humidity and your 80 to 86°f temperature unless you happen to live in a tropical climate

 

[Melaleuca]

I'm a bit slow in seeing replying to this, but one of my redfoots also has these bent scales on its arms.
I received my tortoise as a hatchling (still had its egg tooth and remnants of a dried yolk sack on its belly) and all of its leg scales were pointing out instead of laying flat. My theory, based on the dried yolk sack, is that it was kept a bit too dry between when it hatched and when I received it, resulting in the leg scales being raised or out turned (like pyramiding but for scales). It also struggled to gain weight through its first 9 months with me which could indicate that it had other health issues that could have contributed to its very early life raised leg scales.
The new growth of these leg scales has been flat since I got it, so now its leg scales have the same look as yours, like they've been bent or pushed up at the ends, but it was caused by something else very early in its life followed by improved conditions allowing smoother growth.
To add to this, my tort has always been sensitive/uncomfortable when these bent scales are touched. She's happy for me to rub her arms and legs unless one of those upturned scales is touched, then she ends the massage session so I think they must cause discomfort, again similar to pyramiding.