Russian Tortoise - peeling shell?

[CraigIN]

Hello!

My friend Morty has been adjusting to his new home very well! He is eating and pooping, being soaked every two days, large enclosure! The only problem is that it looks like some of his lower shutes (scales) look to be peeing. Can anyone assist?

 

[Bee62]

View attachment 218092 View attachment 218093 View attachment 218094 Hello!

My friend Morty has been adjusting to his new home very well! He is eating and pooping, being soaked every two days, large enclosure! The only problem is that it looks like some of his lower shutes (scales) look to be peeing. Can anyone assist?

Hello and a very warm welcome to the Forum.
How long do you have your Morty ? How old is he ?
The enclosure looks great but it seems to be very dry. The shell of your tort also seems to be very dry. This dryness could be the reason that the scales peel off.

 

[CraigIN]

Hello and a very warm welcome to the Forum.
How long do you have your Morty ? How old is he ?
The enclosure looks great but it seems to be very dry. The shell of your tort also seems to be very dry. This dryness could be the reason that the scales peel off.

I have had him for about 9 days now. He was living in terrible conditions before...So the humidity during the day is around 40-45% and it gets to be around 60% at night. Should it be more?

 

[Bee62]

I have had him for about 9 days now. He was living in terrible conditions before...So the humidity during the day is around 40-45% and it gets to be around 60% at night. Should it be more?

That is the answer to your question. The terrible conditions your tort has to live before caused the damage of the shell.
When you increase humidity you must be very careful that he will not get sick with a respiration infect.
Warm and humid = fine
Cold and humid = bad
It is better to soak him every day in warm water for 20 minutes than to increase the humidity too much. 60 % at night is high.

 

[Yvonne G]

At one time in his life, probably prior to you getting him, he was injured there and the blood supply to that portion of his shell stopped and that portion of the bone died. Eventually new keratin (scutes) will grow UNDER that white bone, and in the process of growing, the new shell will cause that dead bone to pop off. Takes years.

 

[CraigIN]

At one time in his life, probably prior to you getting him, he was injured there and the blood supply to that portion of his shell stopped and that portion of the bone died. Eventually new keratin (scutes) will grow UNDER that white bone, and in the process of growing, the new shell will cause that dead bone to pop off. Takes years.

That's so sad...hopefully it doesn't lesson his life expectancy at all