Hugo's shell

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Hello all! So we've had Hugo for about two months now and he is settling in nicely!
He is 8yrs old and about 50 lbs.
I have a question about his shell. For one does this look normal... I've read some about it and this is what I have came up with... the flaking could be caused by dry conditions or an injury.. It might or might not grow back, takes time.. don't remove the Flakey part. I've been so king him and pouring water on him maybe 5 times in two months. Should I do more? Diet is mostly grasses no grocery store food. Thanks all! Now here's the pics
20170810_144054.jpg 20170810_144632.jpg
 

Big Charlie

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That doesn't look normal. It looks like an injury. You should soak him more often, at least twice a week.
 

Careym13

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Is there anything he is rubbing against that could be causing the chipping of the shell?
 

Yvonne G

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You can lubricate the new growth (that's what that area is, new growth) with extra virgin olive oil. Paint the oil on the seams between the scutes, using a Q-tip. Allow it to soak in for a few minutes, then polish it off with a clean, absorbent cloth.

What is he eating besides that wonderful graze in his yard? I think food has an effect on the new growth too.
 

Hugo's Home

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That doesn't look normal. It looks like an injury. You should soak him more often, at least twice a week.
Soaking has proceeded with twice a week now! He's loving it! Never seen this before but this long thing kinda looked like a turkey neck came out of his rear end.. is this is Penis? Or what?
 

Hugo's Home

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You can lubricate the new growth (that's what that area is, new growth) with extra virgin olive oil. Paint the oil on the seams between the scutes, using a Q-tip. Allow it to soak in for a few minutes, then polish it off with a clean, absorbent cloth.

What is he eating besides that wonderful graze in his yard? I think food has an effect on the new growth too.
At the moment mostly grasses brumuda sod he eats all the time then all the native stuff n weeds. He's getting hibiscus flowers every day as fast as I can pull the off the plant. Munches on the rose of sharon, has dry brumuda hay down in his burrow, ummm what else.. Zuchinni from the garden maybe two large zuchinni so far. Some fig leaves.. cactus pads maybe one a week... I haven't been on a schedule with his diet... I haven't tried mazuri yet.. kinda worried about winter with not trying mizuri yet.. not sure with what he will eat during winter.. I'll try the olive oil though. Thanks for the advice!
 

Big Charlie

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Soaking has proceeded with twice a week now! He's loving it! Never seen this before but this long thing kinda looked like a turkey neck came out of his rear end.. is this is Penis? Or what?
Sounds like it!
 

Big Charlie

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At the moment mostly grasses brumuda sod he eats all the time then all the native stuff n weeds. He's getting hibiscus flowers every day as fast as I can pull the off the plant. Munches on the rose of sharon, has dry brumuda hay down in his burrow, ummm what else.. Zuchinni from the garden maybe two large zuchinni so far. Some fig leaves.. cactus pads maybe one a week... I haven't been on a schedule with his diet... I haven't tried mazuri yet.. kinda worried about winter with not trying mizuri yet.. not sure with what he will eat during winter.. I'll try the olive oil though. Thanks for the advice!
Give him the leaves of the hibiscus too, not just the flowers.
 

Alaskamike

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I got one at 36 lbs, 8 yo, with old shell injury from a car hit at 2 yo. The folks that had him did not provide a water dish he could get into or any soaking. The injured area looked very dry & cracking 4 yrs after injury.

The best thing you can do for him is good hydration. Frenquent soaks , like in a kiddy pool ( what I use ) helps the healing / regrowth issues in damaged shells.

That could have been from heat lamps. Dehydration, Even years ago. Just keep soaking him.

I did use coconut oil on the injury part for about the first yr / once a week.

He's been with me now 2 yrs , is 50 lbs & the injury area is much improved.

Good fortune with him

( & yes , that wired looking protrusion is his
penis lol )
 

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