Large growth ring. Is this normal?

[russiantortoisegirl]

Hi, so this is my 3 1/2 year old Russian tortoise and lately I noticed that her growth ring is very large. Is this normal?

 

[Yvonne G]

Seems to be pretty normal with Russian tortoises just picked up at a pet store and started being fed more food than it was getting before. It's really not a problem.

 

[Aunt Caffy]

It looks like your baby has a good appetite.

 

[WithLisa]

Is she growing unsymmetrical or is it just the picture?

 

[Aunt Caffy]

I thought my tortoise was getting asymmetrical growth, but it turned out it was his/her shell growth being lighter in spots. But, the baby's growing, which is a good thing. Can't tell if it's asymmetrical or not.

 

[russiantortoisegirl]

Is she growing unsymmetrical or is it just the picture?

Just the picture I think

 

[russiantortoisegirl]

Is she growing unsymmetrical or is it just the picture?

What does a unsymmetrical shell look like? I think it's just the picture.

 

[russiantortoisegirl]

Seems to be pretty normal with Russian tortoises just picked up at a pet store and started being fed more food than it was getting before. It's really not a problem.

ok thank you!!

 

[WithLisa]

What does a unsymmetrical shell look like? I think it's just the picture.

In the picture it looks like the white growth ring is only on one side of the scute, so I wondered if the scutes are growing unsymmetrical.

 

[russiantortoisegirl]

In the picture it looks like the white growth ring is only on one side of the scute, so I wondered if the scutes are growing unsymmetrical. View attachment 178027

I think it is unsymmetrical. Is this harming her? Is there any thing I can do?

 

[Kori5]

Cute little tortie .

 

[Linhdan Nguyen]

I dont think theres too much you can do about it. It seems like it happens often with Russians. My russian has thick growth lines around that band as well. And some sides of the scutes have growth lines while the other side is still stuck with another. I massage coconut oil into her shell once a month, or less. Just to see if it helps separate them. Im not sure if it helps or not but i dont know if any negative effects so i keep up with it.

 

[russiantortoisegirl]

I dont think theres too much you can do about it. It seems like it happens often with Russians. My russian has thick growth lines around that band as well. And some sides of the scutes have growth lines while the other side is still stuck with another. I massage coconut oil into her shell once a month, or less. Just to see if it helps separate them. Im not sure if it helps or not but i dont know if any negative effects so i keep up with it.

Ok thank you!!

 

[Ziamia]

One of my tortoises just woke and he has got a large growth ring round him. He's eating and running around quite happy. I wait patiently for the other one to awake and see how he had grown

 

[florida1]

My 4 yr old Russian also has a wide yellow band. The vet told me she is fat so I guess I feed her too often.

 

[Yvonne G]

Don't worry about growth rings larger on one side than the other. The tortoise's growth is in keeping with his overall silhouette. If you black out the tortoise and look at his "shadow" it's a perfect shape, and not distorted at all.