Is my Leopard Tortoise Healthy?

[Carlyhughesxo]

This is my 9 and 7 months old Leopard tortoise. I'm quite worried about his shell and skin condition and was wondering if anyone had any ideas to help.

 

[Jodie]

What specifically has you worried? He looks a little pyramided, but i don't see anything wrong with his skin. Looks pretty good to my inexperienced eye.

 

[Yvonne G]

Looks ok in the pictures. Exactly what are you worried about?

Welcome to the Forum!!

 

[dmmj]

Could you take a side view of the shell for me?

 

[Carlyhughesxo]

His skin under his arms are a bit dry.

 

[Jodie]

If you change your substrate to something that would hold moisture and increase your humidity that would help. Will prevent further pyramiding as well. I use coco Coir. You can use top soil as well. Do you soak this guy?

 

[Carlyhughesxo]

Is coco Coir and top soil really good? I don't think I soak him enough..

 

[bouaboua]

They do need soaking! ! !

 

[Jodie]

Coco coir is great. So is top soil. It needs to be organic. Being to dry is what causes pyramiding. Most of us are raising leopards in 80% humidity or more. I soak my 9inch guy every other day for 30 minutes. My little ones i soak daily. There are care sheets in the leopard and sulcata sections. I think you would find these helpful.

 

[Greg T]

Coco Coir is good stuff, but you have to spray it everyday to keep it moist. You have some pyramiding there, so you need to keep it more humid and soak several times a week. They look pretty big there for 9 months, and their colors are really good.

 

[Tom]

Here is how you should be housing them:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.78361/