Unhealthy shell's

[tobyandlydia]

My three tortoises seem generally happy. They eat and drink lots, mate and love exploring. However my two adults ( who live outside ) seem to have fairly unhealthy shells. (I think you call it 'pitting' ?) ever so slightly. Our baby George also seems to have developed an unhealthy shell. It is wonky and not symmetrical. He lives inside with a UV lamp, bath and cuttlefish for calcium. He has a pretty varied diet, we usually feed him banana, lettuce, dandelions, lambs lettuce, broccoli, cabbage etc. I don't understand what I am doing wrong to make his shell wonky. Please help! (From the UK)

 

[tortdad]

You say uv light but is it a UVB light and what humidity level to you keep him in? How much outside time doe this one get?

 

[WithLisa]

All three look perfectly fine to me.

George has some anomalies, that can happen for example because of high incubation temperatures, but it's not something to worry about, it just makes him special.
But you should change his diet, banana and other fruits are very unhealthy. Edible weeds are the best and most natural food.

 

[tobyandlydia]

You say uv light but is it a UVB light and what humidity level to you keep him in? How much outside time doe this one get?

The box of the light says 'UV basking lamp - provides source of UVA and UVB. So I suppose so. We don't have anything to do with humidity except for his bath which he plays in often. Is that where we're going wrong? As for time outside, t depends how sunny it is which in the UK isn't very often but we try to take him out wherever possible. It has been winter so for a few months it's been far too cold obviously, but last couple of months nearly every day, or every other day for at least a couple of hours, sometimes less/more.

 

[tortdad]

He needs humidity, calcium and UVB to process that calcium. Which bulb do you have?

 

[Gillian M]

I'd suggest that your torts see more light if sunlight isn't available, knowing what the weather is like in the U.K. You should not feed your torts fruits. I fed my Greek tort tomatoes which it loved. However, I was told that such food should be given to a tort as a treat and once in a blue moon. Good luck

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Banana - a little very occasionally won't do any harm but it is too high in potassium, starch and sugars for a tortoise, so be careful.
Lettuce is ok, but not really great as it is mostly water and not great for nutrients. if you're trying to rehydrate a tortoise, then good, otherwise your tortoise can fill itself up with lettuce but still not be getting enough vitamins and minerals.
Dandelion - great as part of a mixed diet - Tidgy"s favourite, lamb's lettuce likewise.
Broccoli and cabbage are technically non-toxic, but both contain goitrogens which can cause problems with the thyroid gland and lead to kidney and liver disorders. So best not.
Hope this helps.
But your torts look fine to me.

 

[tobyandlydia]

He needs humidity, calcium and UVB to process that calcium. Which bulb do you have?

The bulb is called 'Mini d3 UV Basking lamp By 'Arcadia'

 

[tobyandlydia]

I'd suggest that your torts see more light if sunlight isn't available, knowing what the weather is like in the U.K. You should not feed your torts fruits. I fed my Greek tort tomatoes which it loved. However, I was told that such food should be given to a tort as a treat and once in a blue moon. Good luck

How many hours of his light on do you recommend?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

That's a good one, I believe. Heat and uvb in one bulb.

 

[tobyandlydia]

Banana - a little very occasionally won't do any harm but it is too high in potassium, starch and sugars for a tortoise, so be careful.
Lettuce is ok, but not really great as it is mostly water and not great for nutrients. if you're trying to rehydrate a tortoise, then good, otherwise your tortoise can fill itself up with lettuce but still not be getting enough vitamins and minerals.
Dandelion - great as part of a mixed diet - Tidgy"s favourite, lamb's lettuce likewise.
Broccoli and cabbage are technically non-toxic, but both contain goitrogens which can cause problems with the thyroid gland and lead to kidney and liver disorders. So best not.
Hope this helps.
But your torts look fine to me.

What sort of foods do you recommend? I keep getting mixed messages. ahh!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

The care sheet here by Hermanni Chris has the correct selection.
Broad leafed greens are best, you can also look at the website tortoisetable to see which plants are safe to eat.
Chris also recommends 12-14 hours of light a day, but this includes time in the sun, of course.

 

[Gillian M]

How many hours of his light on do you recommend?

Frankly speaking I do not know-sorry. But at the same time these cute little animals are in need of the SUN, which they do not enjoy during Winter if they hibernate. I personally take my tort out for "a walk" in the very hot sun whenever I can, and I can tell that it enjoys it.

 

[Smartie123]

My Donny loves pack choi and rocket and in the last month he has started having Mazuri (now I have been able to source it in the UK) which he really enjoys. I also bought a small humidifier from Amazon and put that on next to donnys table for a few hours a day to help with humidity levels, maybe give that a try.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

What are you using for substrate? That's where the humidity should be held.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

What sort of foods do you recommend? I keep getting mixed messages. ahh!

A mixed diet is better than mixed messages!
ha! ha!

 

[Smartie123]

I have tried him on different substrates but we have been using a mix of tort sand, top soil and sand. He seems to like it and it's fairly clean

 

[Per Ehn]

Hello everyone!

I am band new to this forum, just created my account. I have had my dear tortoise for almost den years (she's about to turn 11 this autumn!) I got her as a birthday gift when I turned 13 and haven't always given her as much attention throughout the years as she would need (you know how teenagers can be?), but I've definately shapened up lately and the last few years I've ben doing my absolutely best at caring for her.

When she was about 5-6 years old I started noticing a small cavity/wierd shape on her shell towards the head. I thought that she would grow out of it but I'm starting to notice it more and more while examining her from the side. Is this a common issue or something I should worry about? I have since taken her to a tortoise-focosed vet and they told me she were fine and has had a healthy growth. Does anyone of you experience any somilair "cavities" on your tortoises? What could have caused it?

Many thanks in advance!

Sincerely:
/// Per Ehn, Sweden