Pyramiding??

[emelliem13]

Idk if I should be worried if this is pyramiding. But if it is how can I prevent from it getting worse. This is my first tortoise so I’m a little paranoid.

 

[method89]

This is extremely bad pyramiding. this tort is lacking the necessary humidity. Please describe and post pictures of your enclosure. Also read the caresheet below.

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[emelliem13]

This is extremely bad pyramiding. this tort is lacking the necessary humidity. Please describe and post pictures of your enclosure. Also read the caresheet below.

The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...

www.tortoiseforum.org

 

[emelliem13]

I noticed it and I fixed the humidity, do you think it’ll stop getting worse?

 

[wellington]

I noticed it and I fixed the humidity, do you think it’ll stop getting worse?

It will not stop with an open top enclosure and those puck like gauges you are using are junk and not accurate at all. The enclosure is also way too small for the size tort you have.
Read the caresheet linked by the other member and make big changes.

 

[method89]

It looks like you have a cfl/curly fluorescent bulb for uvb as well. Those have been shown to affect tortoises eyes. I would change that out for a t5 style strip light.

Fyi: we are only trying to help the tort, please don't take the criticism personally

 

[emelliem13]

It looks like you have a cfl/curly fluorescent bulb for uvb as well. Those have been shown to affect tortoises eyes. I would change that out for a t5 style strip light.

Fyi: we are only trying to help the tort, please don't take the criticism personally

I have this one

 

[emelliem13]

It will not stop with an open top enclosure and those puck like gauges you are using are junk and not accurate at all. The enclosure is also way too small for the size tort you have.
Read the caresheet linked by the other member and make big changes.

So what size enclosure do I get?

 

[Tom]

I have this one

Those sometimes damage tortoise eyes and should not be used. They are also ineffective as UV sources.

What part of CA are you in? Different advice for Mammoth vs. Mojave.

A tortoise that size needs an indoor closed chamber enclosure around 4x8 feet. That will last it until its time to move outside full time. You can make your own, buy one from @Markw84 , or order one from Animal Plastics and wait 8 months for it.

 

[emelliem13]

Those sometimes damage tortoise eyes and should not be used. They are also ineffective as UV sources.

What part of CA are you in? Different advice for Mammoth vs. Mojave.

A tortoise that size needs an indoor closed chamber enclosure around 4x8 feet. That will last it until its time to move outside full time. You can make your own, buy one from @Markw84 , or order one from Animal Plastics and wait 8 months for it.

I’m from Los Angeles. And idk if I can change the enclosure Bc my family is really tight on money rn

 

[Tom]

I’m from Los Angeles. And idk if I can change the enclosure Bc my family is really tight on money rn

Read the care sheet and do your best. If you don't have money, then at least spend your time learning about which weeds, grasses and plants to feed, and make sure the tortoise gets some sunshine and good hydration. Your tortoise also has MBD, which comes from lack of UV, lack of D3, lack of calcium, and poor diet. Start feeding the tortoise the right foods, use a calcium supplement with D3, and get it out in the sunshine in a safe enclosure when the weather gets a little warmer. You can make an outdoor pen with scrap lumber, cinder blocks, or even a large kiddie pool. Get creative. We can help offer low cost ideas. Ask lots of questions. Its good that you've realized there is a problem and you've asked for help.

 

[emelliem13]

Read the care sheet and do your best. If you don't have money, then at least spend your time learning about which weeds, grasses and plants to feed, and make sure the tortoise gets some sunshine and good hydration. Your tortoise also has MBD, which comes from lack of UV, lack of D3, lack of calcium, and poor diet. Start feeding the tortoise the right foods, use a calcium supplement with D3, and get it out in the sunshine in a safe enclosure when the weather gets a little warmer. You can make an outdoor pen with scrap lumber, cinder blocks, or even a large kiddie pool. Get creative. We can help offer low cost ideas. Ask lots of questions. Its good that you've realized there is a problem and you've asked for help.

Ok thank you so much

 

[wellington]

I’m from Los Angeles. And idk if I can change the enclosure Bc my family is really tight on money rn

For such a young tortoise and the problems it has already with MBD and Pyramiding, maybe consider rehoming him so he can get the proper care and enclosure he needs. Not having enough room to roam will cause more problems with legs, muscles and walking.

 

[emelliem13]

For such a young tortoise and the problems it has already with MBD and Pyramiding, maybe consider rehoming him so he can get the proper care and enclosure he needs. Not having enough room to roam will cause more problems with legs, muscles and walking.

I do have room to roam around it’s just the enclosure was not humid enough. Everywhere I looked and the pet store all said that to not have it humid which is what I did. I can’t change the enclosure but I can do everything else.

 

[wellington]

I do have room to roam around it’s just the enclosure was not humid enough. Everywhere I looked and the pet store all said that to not have it humid which is what I did. I can’t change the enclosure but I can do everything else.

I understand but he should not roam the floors of your house and unless you can get him outside to a bigger area on a regular basis you could be looking at a tortoise that won't be able to walk. I rescued one that this happened too because its enclosure was too small for proper exercise and it was a leopard which is smaller then a sulcata.
Right now you may still be able to get the Christmas tree storage tote boxes which would give more room then he has now. Even connecting two large totes or even a pop up portable green house which can be had for around 30-50 bucks. Some people buy old used dressers and rugs them to use as an enclosure.