Something sticking out of shell ??!!

[Nimbledoe]

I noticed my Russian (about 6 years old female) has a very small, sliver like, piece of shell sticking out. I gently tried to pull on it but it seems to be attached. There is nothing I can find that would of caused this in her habitat. Should I take some nail clippers and cut it off? It is about 1/16th inch long. Very hard, stiff. What should I do??

 

[JoesMum]

Leave it alone. It will rub off naturally. If you mess with it, you could do more damage.

 

[Nimbledoe]

Leave it alone. It will rub off naturally. If you mess with it, you could do more damage.

Thanks for advice. What would of caused this?

 

[JoesMum]

It sounds like he's rubbed himself against something while climbing or digging. It's only cosmetic - I assume he doesn't flinch if you touch the shell where it happened.

After half a century, Joe has collected many of these knocks as he scrambles, climbs, digs and barges. His shell has a matt finish now, not shiny

 

[Nimbledoe]

It sounds like he's rubbed himself against something while climbing or digging. It's only cosmetic - I assume he doesn't flinch if you touch the shell where it happened.

After half a century, Joe has collected many of these knocks as he scrambles, climbs, digs and barges. His shell has a matt finish now, not shiny

No it does not seem to bother her at all when I touch it, or even back when I gently pulled on it. You can tell I am a new tort owner and probably over worry. Thanks for replying.

 

[JoesMum]

It's OK. Even after 40 years, it doesn't take much to throw me into a blind panic!