White line

[Annief]

Is this white line a growth line? Is he growing too quickly. He has gained 14 grams in 2 months, so am I over feeding him?

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Is this white line a growth line? Is he growing too quickly. He has gained 14 grams in 2 months, so am I over feeding him? View attachment 379900View attachment 379901

Yes, this light line along scute edges is the new growth. 14 grams in two months is a good rate (10% a month for the first year). Don't worry about overfeeding - with right diet and spacious enclosure obesity is not an issue. Make sure he gets enough hydration, calcium and UVB (also, Calcium + vitamin D3 powder once a week can be beneficial)

 

[Annief]

Yes, this light line along scute edges is the new growth. 14 grams in two months is a good rate (10% a month for the first year). Don't worry about overfeeding - with right diet and spacious enclosure obesity is not an issue. Make sure he gets enough hydration, calcium and UVB (also, Calcium + vitamin D3 powder once a week can be beneficial)

Thank you. He gets bathed either every other day or every 3rd day. Has a large water dish in his enclosure and gets calcium and vitamin d twice a week.

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

Thank you. He gets bathed either every other day or every 3rd day. Has a large water dish in his enclosure and gets calcium and vitamin d twice a week.

If you can give him baths daily this will be better. Once he will reach age of 1 year - every other day. And once a week for adult tortoise.

 

[Annief]

If you can give him baths daily this will be better. Once he will reach age of 1 year - every other day. And once a week for adult tortoise.

The seller told me he was 6/7 months when I got him in July. But when I posted pics of him on here everyone said he was older. Maybe 1-2 years due to pyramiding. He’s only 6cms long so I haven’t a clue what age he is if he’s over a year or not.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hello and welcome!

Yeah second what Alex says. Though I will add there does appear to be some pyramiding starting..

I don’t suppose you’d mind trying to answer these questions? Don’t worry if you can answer all of them, they might help members advise you on adjustments though

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking spot(directly under the bulb) overall day and night temps?
What kind of lighting&heating are you using specifically? Packaging pics are good if you have any!
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind are you using?
How’s your humidity reading? What do you use for substrate?
How’s their diet been with you?

Any answers to those would be great along with a photo of your full set up if you didn’t mind

 

[Annief]

Hello and welcome!

Yeah second what Alex says. Though I will add there does appear to be some pyramiding starting..

I don’t suppose you’d mind trying to answer these questions? Don’t worry if you can answer all of them, they might help members advise you on adjustments though

What are your temperatures like? Ie basking spot(directly under the bulb) overall day and night temps?
What kind of lighting&heating are you using specifically? Packaging pics are good if you have any!
Do you use indoor uv? If so what kind are you using?
How’s your humidity reading? What do you use for substrate?
How’s their diet been with you?

Any answers to those would be great along with a photo of your full set up if you didn’t mind

Hi thank you for your response. I’ve been on before and went through the temps feeding etc and got loads of great advice. Had the wrong bulbs etc so all changed. He was in a vibarium when I got him so think he had a bad start hence the pyramiding. Just confused as to what age he actually is and was worried I was over feeding.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Hi thank you for your response. I’ve been on before and went through the temps feeding etc and got loads of great advice. Had the wrong bulbs etc so all changed. He was in a vibarium when I got him so think he had a bad start hence the pyramiding. Just confused as to what age he actually is and was worried I was over feeding.

Fair enough! Glad you’re on a good track with him
It’s pretty difficult to know exact ages without a hatch date because all their growth rates can vary depending how they’ve been raised, diet etc, looking at him I’d personally say he’s older than 2, maybe 3-5..

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

Aw just had a look at some of your other threads! I remember you nowglad to see you’re back

 

[Annief]

Aw just had a look at some of your other threads! I remember you nowglad to see you’re back

This is the only place I go for advice now. Everywhere else gives conflicting advice or they attack you.

 

[Littleredfootbigredheart]

This is the only place I go for advice now. Everywhere else gives conflicting advice or they attack you.

Yep I concur, it’s a mess out there

 

[Alex and the Redfoot]

The seller told me he was 6/7 months when I got him in July. But when I posted pics of him on here everyone said he was older. Maybe 1-2 years due to pyramiding. He’s only 6cms long so I haven’t a clue what age he is if he’s over a year or not.

It's okay that age is unknown. What we try to achieve with frequent bathing - is to keep new growing keratin softer until bone underneath grows and hardens. So if your tortoise is growing actively - more baths will be beneficial. 10% a month - is an active growth. Once growth slows down you can start skipping bathing days.

Just in case, fast growth is not a problem per se. Fast growth in wrong conditions - is a problem. However, slow growth in wrong conditions isn't any better

 

[Annief]

It's okay that age is unknown. What we try to achieve with frequent bathing - is to keep new growing keratin softer until bone underneath grows and hardens. So if your tortoise is growing actively - more baths will be beneficial. 10% a month - is an active growth. Once growth slows down you can start skipping bathing days.

Just in case, fast growth is not a problem per se. Fast growth in wrong conditions - is a problem. However, slow growth in wrong conditions isn't any better

Great thank you everyone