I really need an advice. Over a month ago I bought 3 leopard tortoise hatchlings. All seemed healthy, but one of the tortoise's shell (his name is Smiley) was on the softer side comparing to other two. Over this month his shell has became softer, it feels like a soft thin plastic. It doesn't leave any dents, it bounces back if I lightly squeeze it. I bought them on reptile show and the seller told me that they are all from different hatches. Smiley is a pardalis pardalis (he has 2 marks on each scute) the others are have only one mark, Smiley is the smallest of all three.
His appetite is the best out of 3, he is very active... I soak them every day, feed spring mix and dandelions and add Ca and Vit D every other day. Twice a week they get cactus or yellow squash. They have UVB during the day (in addition to sunlight in the afternoons) and heating lamp at night, they mostly sleep in the hiding with the moist bedding near the heat source, the temp near the heating lamp is 100-110, and about 80 on the cooler side. I live in FL so the humidity shouldn't be an issue, but I make sure that their bedding is moist.
I've read all about the hatchling failure syndrome on this forum, but can't seem to find an answer. I am very worried that his shell is dissolving, any thoughts? Anything else I can do? Can he be just younger than others and he is just building his shell. I've read somewhere that the shells are soft when they are born. If it's true, then when should they become harder?
I'll appreciate any help or criticism.
His appetite is the best out of 3, he is very active... I soak them every day, feed spring mix and dandelions and add Ca and Vit D every other day. Twice a week they get cactus or yellow squash. They have UVB during the day (in addition to sunlight in the afternoons) and heating lamp at night, they mostly sleep in the hiding with the moist bedding near the heat source, the temp near the heating lamp is 100-110, and about 80 on the cooler side. I live in FL so the humidity shouldn't be an issue, but I make sure that their bedding is moist.
I've read all about the hatchling failure syndrome on this forum, but can't seem to find an answer. I am very worried that his shell is dissolving, any thoughts? Anything else I can do? Can he be just younger than others and he is just building his shell. I've read somewhere that the shells are soft when they are born. If it's true, then when should they become harder?
I'll appreciate any help or criticism.