Tiny Tales

Alaskamike

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Well... Tiny went back to sleeping and resting in his "cave", widening out the tunnel I had for him to take on his larger size since last fall. He seems to prefer it over his above ground Box now that the summer heat is upon us here in South Florida.

it's 89 f right now , Noon, and he hasn't come out yet.....
 

mike rowlett

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Was looking for some supplies on craigs list and , of course, found a sulcata in need of a good home. Guy resumed it from his sister who kept him in a Rubbermaid container in kitchen in apartment. No outside time, no UV light. No soaks or humidity.
He ( she? ) is approx 2 yrs old
Weighs 1045 grams , 2.3 lbs.
I had to take him home.
He is Pyramided . As you can imagine but seems healthy otherwise. She never used a calcium supplement. I'll be starting all of that. I do know that the pyramiding that has started will remain. But I will try and keep him from MBD if he isn't already affected.
Once healthy I may try to find a home for him. Haven't decided. I have other torts and sully scan be a handful with all the digging. Plus the need for separate outside enclosure. It's allot. View attachment 95452
Good day everyone. This is Mike in tex. and I was wondering what causes the pyraminding on the tortoises shell. Is that from not getting soaking or bad diet or a combination of both
 

Alaskamike

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Mike R
Experimental results have shown that high humidity , regular soaks along with proper diet produce smooth shells.

As far as I know , no one has purposely fed a tort totally improper diet and given high humidity at same time.

Current consensus however , is that most pyramiding is caused by rapid growth in low moisture environments.

Some of best research over an extended time with many torts has been done by @Tom on forum here.
 

mike rowlett

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Thank you Alaska Mike. That is what I kind of thought but wasn't sure. Does that harm the tortoise or can they just live like that , pyramiding ?
 

Alaskamike

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Thank you Alaska Mike. That is what I kind of thought but wasn't sure. Does that harm the tortoise or can they just live like that , pyramiding ?
He's got a bit of flower stuck to his mouth.
As long as the tort does not have Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) in advanced stages, they will do very well once a good varied diet is given, calcium needs are met, they get a good amount of sunshine (or full spectrum lighting), and plenty of moisture and water. Tiny started out in a not-so-healthy environment first two years of his life. But seems to be doing okay now. He grows about 10% / month since I've had him.
 

Alaskamike

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Weight today : 3244 grams = 7.1 lbs. Gain of 8% this month. Eats like a horse (poops like one too:), Very active, walks allot. He is very comfortable with me, when I pick him up he doesn't do the moon walk anymore, just waits till i take him where i want him then walks more. He comes when I make a clicking noise to see what I have to feed him. Cool little guy.
 

WendyJae

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How terrifying i would flip out if my dog chewed up one of mine! Especially sense my dogs so huge. But i think im passed that, my bigger sulcata walks all over the yard with my 2 dogs (hes watched) and they just like to smell or watch him.
 

Alaskamike

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So....
Tiny is getting to be quite the little tester. He tests the cat ( the cat always jumps up and moves ) pushes a ball out of his area and now bites at almost anything that just MIGHT be food. Dog toys included.

But today was special. Today Tiny was chomping on something delicious in the yard with some gusto.

I walked over to see a soggy wet pile of .....
Multi colored Chunks ?
being decimated by his gaping mouth.

What the ****?

What is that ! Closer examination showed the pile a suspicious colored resemblance to a mixed up wet version of the cats dry food. Previously eaten and chucked up. Ewwwww. Yes

That's exactly what it was.

I say " was" because he chomped down the last bite while I still stood there with a disgusting look.

And I swear ....

He smiled up at me.
 

Tortoisefanatic88

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Just read through this whole thread. Thankfully some like you was able to get ahold of him before it was too late. Surprisingly from the way you described the care that he was given he didn't look that bad when you first got him. Glad to see he's doing great now.
 

DawnH

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So....
Tiny is getting to be quite the little tester. He tests the cat ( the cat always jumps up and moves ) pushes a ball out of his area and now bites at almost anything that just MIGHT be food. Dog toys included.

But today was special. Today Tiny was chomping on something delicious in the yard with some gusto.

I walked over to see a soggy wet pile of .....
Multi colored Chunks ?
being decimated by his gaping mouth.

What the ****?

What is that ! Closer examination showed the pile a suspicious colored resemblance to a mixed up wet version of the cats dry food. Previously eaten and chucked up. Ewwwww. Yes

That's exactly what it was.

I say " was" because he chomped down the last bite while I still stood there with a disgusting look.

And I swear ....

He smiled up at me.

WHY is cat food barf so wonderful...? LOL Your post made me laugh out loud. I bet you have never moved so fast in your life! ;)
 

Alaskamike

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I want to try and show a comparison of the pyramiding on Tiny's shell.
This is a photo whenI first got him back in Sep 2014. ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1432132487.330006.jpg

Now here is today's photo. I tried to take same angle and closeness. Didn't get it exact.
But I see a reduction in pyramiding that is clear to my eyes. He's put on rapid weight gain in last 8 mos. from 2.3 lbs to 7.1 lbs.

ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1432132683.293439.jpg
ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1432132712.794150.jpg

Outside environment , good sun , water , good food. Made a difference.
 
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