Hi everyone, so after reading a couple threads about conditioners for the shell of our tortoises I might have a good debatable topic here. I decided to do a little research about cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil. After carefully considering my sources. I have concluded the following: this oil is antibacterial, anti fungal, anti viral, anti inflammatory, unique fatty acids that penatrate to the micro level quickly giving efficient moisture , a natural sunscreen spf 10 (which blocks 90 percent uvb), it doesn't allow substrate to stick, it doesn't mess with thermoregulation as far as I can tell after multiple days of temp taking after first application, and lastly it makes one hell of a shine.
I am sure some of you see a particular issue of this being a natural sunscreen that blocks 90 percent of the thing our tortoises need the most of for proper bone development and overall health. But my question is does my little guy get more benefit from a weekly application of extra virgin coconut oil then not applying it?
My goal is longevity he is indoor captive and will be for the foreseeable future, mvb bulbs literally suck the moisture right out of our tortoises shells (got that info from a thread here) and being exposed to a mvb constantly day in and day out constantly sucking that moisture out isn't the best. Is there a way as tortoise keepers who can't bring outside at all times to help prevent some of that moisture loss? is it possible to give them some protection from the constant baking lights? I understand the importance of humidity and lighting needed for optimal health but is it also doing them a disservice by not giving them some sort of protection from the baking lights? Allowing their shells to stay moisturized on a table top setting without plucking the moisture from deep within? Of course moderation is absolute. Too much application and you block the good out. I am very curious to all your opinions.
So I decided to give it a try about a week ago, my Russian is in perfect health after getting a complete checkup with x-rays. So his shell has a small dent (possibly from shipping) but otherwise looks pretty smooth. After I bathed him, I applied a thin coat of extra virgin coconut oil, pretty instantaneously I saw a magnificent shine. I wanted to see how much would initially get absorbed which was quite a bit.. I let it sit for about a minute before I wiped it off with a super extra soft micro fiber cloth. He enjoyed every second of the massage too.. (went to school for massage therapy)even tortoises appreciate a good massage haha. 5 days later and it still has that healthy shine just not as vibrant as when first applied. This is very debatable as I know a lot of you have raised many many clutches of perfectly healthy tortoises without any topical oils, and are set in your opinions so please let's hear it and if am wrong in any of my information please correct me. Pictures provided
I am sure some of you see a particular issue of this being a natural sunscreen that blocks 90 percent of the thing our tortoises need the most of for proper bone development and overall health. But my question is does my little guy get more benefit from a weekly application of extra virgin coconut oil then not applying it?
My goal is longevity he is indoor captive and will be for the foreseeable future, mvb bulbs literally suck the moisture right out of our tortoises shells (got that info from a thread here) and being exposed to a mvb constantly day in and day out constantly sucking that moisture out isn't the best. Is there a way as tortoise keepers who can't bring outside at all times to help prevent some of that moisture loss? is it possible to give them some protection from the constant baking lights? I understand the importance of humidity and lighting needed for optimal health but is it also doing them a disservice by not giving them some sort of protection from the baking lights? Allowing their shells to stay moisturized on a table top setting without plucking the moisture from deep within? Of course moderation is absolute. Too much application and you block the good out. I am very curious to all your opinions.
So I decided to give it a try about a week ago, my Russian is in perfect health after getting a complete checkup with x-rays. So his shell has a small dent (possibly from shipping) but otherwise looks pretty smooth. After I bathed him, I applied a thin coat of extra virgin coconut oil, pretty instantaneously I saw a magnificent shine. I wanted to see how much would initially get absorbed which was quite a bit.. I let it sit for about a minute before I wiped it off with a super extra soft micro fiber cloth. He enjoyed every second of the massage too.. (went to school for massage therapy)even tortoises appreciate a good massage haha. 5 days later and it still has that healthy shine just not as vibrant as when first applied. This is very debatable as I know a lot of you have raised many many clutches of perfectly healthy tortoises without any topical oils, and are set in your opinions so please let's hear it and if am wrong in any of my information please correct me. Pictures provided