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- Apr 5, 2016
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- 933
Yes my sulcata sit on humid substrate (coco coir). He likes to hang out near the basking light, near but not under. I think if there is something to do with the light bulb (too hot), the upper level carapace should getting worse than the below one right? I have closed enclosure. Weird huh? I think i will get you a better picture soon.I have seen lots of images of shell rot but none looked like your pictures. Shell rot is fungal infection of the plastron from torts sitting on wet substrate. It's pretty common in RF's and it looks like irregularly shaped pits in plastron of various depths, rough surfaces, usually lighter color than surrounding plastron. Your tort's plastron looks very nice and healthy to me. As for the carapace the whitish areas, I can't really see anything on your picture other then just lighter shell color there, but if you think there is a possibility of a burn, please investigate the situation. Does your tort spend lot of time next to the heater? If she does to the point of getting burnt in order to feel warm then the overall enclosure temp is too low possibly due to heat loss (open enclosure?) I don't know, just guessing here, trying to give you some ideas so look into those things or see if you can get a good light and closer zoomed pictures and I'm sure we'll figure it out
I don't have cat or dog, and my sulcata never saw cat or dog in his entire lifeTop right looks like an old puncture wound of some sort - bitten by a cat or dog when small?
The other three just look like the normal shell lines that are dark and/or dirty.
I don't see anything that particularly bothers me.
Tiffy calling you @HermanniChris , could you give some opinion?
Enclosure temps:Never heard of a sulcata getting shell rot. Shell rot doesn't look like that.
Give us a run down of your enclosure temps, substrate, etc.
I would lower the humidity to 80 only because it's not needed to be higher.
Just keep an eye on those places you have concern about but. If you think they are getting worse, you can use some antifungal cream on them. I don't think they are anything to worry about though.
I am so glad no one approve this as shell rot.I've dealt with a lot of shell fungus.
You have some stains and local discoloration issues. And nothing to be worried about.
As @wellington stated, you can put a dab of athletes foot cream on the spots. It quickly kills fungus, but also does NO HARM if there is no fungus there. So it might be a good peace of mind thing.
Thanks for posting this, I am seeing similar issues on the carapace of my young sulcata (just over month old). I will get some pics and post for review also. How old is yours? I also was keeping my humidity in the 90s and substrate really moist. I am drying out the substrate and lowering my humidity now. I will simply add in a water container to keep humidity in the 80s instead of saturating my substrate so much. I will also treat mine with fungus treatment now seeing as how it doesn't hurt anyways. Temps run from 84 in cool side to 101 in basking area.It looks like i have nothing to worry about. Thanks to all
Please just post your pics here. To make comparisonThanks for posting this, I am seeing similar issues on the carapace of my young sulcata (just over month old). I will get some pics and post for review also. How old is yours? I also was keeping my humidity in the 90s and substrate really moist. I am drying out the substrate and lowering my humidity now. I will simply add in a water container to keep humidity in the 80s instead of saturating my substrate so much. I will also treat mine with fungus treatment now seeing as how it doesn't hurt anyways. Temps run from 84 in cool side to 101 in basking area.
Here are some pics of Casper- FYI still eating really well, active, has two hours in outdoor enclosure each day, temps from 82-101 in inside enclosure on thermostat , humidity was running from 86-94, water in plant saucer in enclosure, baths twice a day and always has good bowl movement in bath, using tortoise mix grown from seeds along with store bought mixes for feedings, cuddle bone actively being gnawed on, add calcium powder to food once a week, uvb bar light and heat emitters in enclosure, coco substrate...Please just post your pics here. To make comparison