Help with Russians shell

[Raphaelsmum]

Hello I'm baffled by my Russians shell at the moment. He was wild caught and illegally imported ive discovered since I bought him and could be any age. Patches of shell have always come off and new shell grows underneath and he is very very very active. He's a pain with it. Always wanting to be climbing, walking and digging. Anyway within a week a huge area this time has flaked off nearer the side of his shell. So I'm panicking of course. The underneath is white, and hard and doesn't smell but each day we have more shell peeled away. I want to show you pictures but can't workout how to upload from my phone onto here. I have taken him to the vets but they are just not sure! Ha!

 

[Raphaelsmum]

A picture I hope

 

[Raphaelsmum]

Another pic

 

[Raphaelsmum]

And another

 

[JoesMum]

Hello and welcome from Kent, UK.

How big is your tort's enclosure?

Russians are very active and need lots of space. The kind of activity you describe suggests that Raphael is in an enclosure that's too small.

Photos of the enclosure and lighting will help us to help you.

Have you read the TFO guides to caring for Russians?

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

What makes you so sure that Raphael is an illegal import? His shell, apart from the recent damage, looks more captive bred condition.

The white you describe is bone showing beneath the damaged shell. We need to establish what is causing it to flake like this ... is he bashing himself with the constant scrabbling? Is he getting burned by lights that are incorrectly set?

 

[Raphaelsmum]

Well this is the thing. I've had him three years and this it the first time it's happened. He's always been in the same enclosures. He has two. An outdoor one 5m x5m with a heat lamp when it's mild enough he goes out as often as poss as he loves walking, climbing, digging around. Can't tell you temps always in outdoor but does have a heat lamp and a warm hide. Only stays out an hour or two at a time when it's not warm weather.
His indoor enclosure is 3m x 1m. Has two heat lamps at either end and strip uv. His temps are right and he seems to like spending time in all areas, climbing in plants, he likes his wooden log and stones. He is very alert and friendly. Likes to get out often to say hello, wander round downstairs for short periods. Loves his bath. Eats, poops, urates well.

 

[Raphaelsmum]

Well this is the thing. I've had him three years and this it the first time it's happened. He's always been in the same enclosures. He has two. An outdoor one 5m x5m with a heat lamp when it's mild enough he goes out as often as poss as he loves walking, climbing, digging around. Can't tell you temps always in outdoor but does have a heat lamp and a warm hide. Only stays out an hour or two at a time when it's not warm weather.
His indoor enclosure is 3m x 1m. Has two heat lamps at either end and strip uv. His temps are right and he seems to like spending time in all areas, climbing in plants, he likes his wooden log and stones. He is very alert and friendly. Likes to get out often to say hello, wander round downstairs for short periods. Loves his bath. Eats, poops, urates well.

Oh

Hello and welcome from Kent, UK.

How big is your tort's enclosure?

Russians are very active and need lots of space. The kind of activity you describe suggests that Raphael is in an enclosure that's too small.

Photos of the enclosure and lighting will help us to help you.

Have you read the TFO guides to caring for Russians?

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

What makes you so sure that Raphael is an illegal import? His shell, apart from the recent damage, looks more captive bred condition.

The white you describe is bone showing beneath the damaged shell. We need to establish what is causing it to flake like this ... is he bashing himself with the constant scrabbling? Is he getting burned by lights that are incorrectly set?

Hello and welcome from Kent, UK.

How big is your tort's enclosure?

Russians are very active and need lots of space. The kind of activity you describe suggests that Raphael is in an enclosure that's too small.

Photos of the enclosure and lighting will help us to help you.

Have you read the TFO guides to caring for Russians?

Beginner Mistakes
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Russian Tortoise Care
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/

What makes you so sure that Raphael is an illegal import? His shell, apart from the recent damage, looks more captive bred condition.

The white you describe is bone showing beneath the damaged shell. We need to establish what is causing it to flake like this ... is he bashing himself with the constant scrabbling? Is he getting burned by lights that are incorrectly set?

 

[Raphaelsmum]

Oh and I have thermostat under his light set at 21. Never feels too hot. I mist his enclosure often also as it's an open top and the central heating it's self I know can be drying.

 

[Gillian M]

Hi @Raphaelsmum and a very warm welcome to the forum.

 

[Raphaelsmum]

Hi @Raphaelsmum and a very warm welcome to the forum.

Thank you! Just wish it wasn't because I have a problem!