Is my tortoises pymraiding ??

[Hayleylouise91]

Hey,
I just want to know if this is the start of pymraiding and how I can prevent more happening!!

Thank you!

 

[GingerLove]

He's starting to pyramid, yes. Are you using a light in his cage or does he live outside?

 

[Hayleylouise91]

He is in a viv. He has a heat lamp and a uv strip too ... he is only 1.5 years old.
I think we have been over feeding him to be honest so I have cut back on how much we give him to slow it down

 

[Pearly]

Yes, a little bit, but not enough for him to not be BEAUTIFUL. He is absolutely stunning! Pyramiding is simply indication of low humidity. You can easily correct it and those little bumps just add to his character. They will not go away, but if kept more humid from this point on his growth will be smother

 

[Hayleylouise91]

Thank you so much for your advice. You have put my mind at ease so much. I need to weigh them tonight too.
How do I increase the humidity?? I just brought a humidity reader and it's saying 40% 'moderate' level ??? @Pearly

 

[Pearly]

He is in a viv. He has a heat lamp and a uv strip too ... he is only 1.5 years old.
I think we have been over feeding him to be honest so I have cut back on how much we give him to slow it down

One more thing, I don't think there is such thing as "overfeeding tortoises". Your viv is not a fish tank where you have to worry about the amt. of waste. I let mine eat to their hearts content. I feel that if they have to live their lives in captivity we should offer some perks in exchange, keep them warm, humid, safe, comfy, with lots of room for exercise and give them lots of yummy food that is both good for them and healthy

 

[Pearly]

Thank you so much for your advice. You have put my mind at ease so much. I need to weigh them tonight too.
How do I increase the humidity?? I just brought a humidity reader and it's saying 40% 'moderate' level ??? @Pearly

40% is too low. I keep mine at 80 and above, but mine are the RFs. I don't know about your species but if you want to smooth out the further growth just think "the more the better". Now, with high humidity you should not let the temps drop due to risk of them getting sick with RI. I have Reptifogger for mine and after the first year of using it daily with biosubstrate I don't use it al all now, and haven't in several months. My humidity gagues at substrate level read 85-86%. I have been raising mine in breeder tank-terrarium, which at this point serves only as their night time sleep chamber, daytime they are in their Tortoise Garden outside. With your viv humidity should not be a problem for you. Check out the "enclosures" section here and look up "closed chambers" there for ideas. Humidity has been everone's struggle so you are not the first one and you are NOT alone

 

[Hayleylouise91]

40% is too low. I keep mine at 80 and above, but mine are the RFs. I don't know about your species but if you want to smooth out the further growth just think "the more the better". Now, with high humidity you should not let the temps drop due to risk of them getting sick with RI. I have Reptifogger for mine and after the first year of using it daily with biosubstrate I don't use it al all now, and haven't in several months. My humidity gagues at substrate level read 85-86%. I have been raising mine in breeder tank-terrarium, which at this point serves only as their night time sleep chamber, daytime they are in their Tortoise Garden outside. With your viv humidity should not be a problem for you. Check out the "enclosures" section here and look up "closed chambers" there for ideas. Humidity has been everone's struggle so you are not the first one and you are NOT alone

Yeah maybe I need to change their substrate but it's so messy! Lol
I need to figure out how to increase it and.keep it level like that with out the temperature being affected.
I feel like I need a degree in this stuff!! Haha

 

[TammyJ]

He is absolutely gorgeous! Yes increase the humidity, and give him as much as he will eat of the right stuff!

 

[GingerLove]

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you how cute he is!!!!!!!!