Help! White ring on shell.

Yossarian

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Joined
Nov 21, 2015
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813
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Wales
I have never had to trim my torts nails, they wear naturally, if they didnt I would be concerned that he isnt walking around enough.

Build up to doing the beak yourself. Get used to handling the tort like you will need to, start feeling around his neck gently, they have muscular little necks so you can give them a bit of a massage, get a feel for the anatomy. There is a point behind their ear scales where you can pinch firmly to stop them retracting into their shell. Like I said they are strong, and they will bloody resist you so you have to be very firm with them, but it doesnt hurt them. All I am suggesting right now is familiarise yourself with the torts anatomy, and get it used to you touching it there, and try to stop it retracting until you are comfortable doing it, take your time but it should be a goal down the line for you to do yourself, the clipping is the easiest part, if you can clip your finger nails you can clip a beak.
 
Joined
Jun 28, 2020
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Location (City and/or State)
Oregon
I appreciate the video, but is still do not feel safe doing so. Nor do we have a dremel our our household, either. I can try asking if anyone in Salem knows how to trim a Tortoise’s beak.
On another note, I am curious about expanding her enclosure like you guys suggested. We have plenty of time, but we need a design. What’s your idea?
 

Fiona82

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May 7, 2021
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Ipswich
Hi, I've just noticed similar on my Hermanns tortoise, who I'd thought had stopped growing. He's 11 and I've had him for three years, and he's not had this before until yesterday. I'd thought that Hermanns tortoises stop growing around 8 years old, but maybe I've got that wrong?

I made a vets appointment this morning with a specialist because I was worried but it's not until next Thusday (and might not be needed now if this is normal!)
 

William Lee Kohler

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Their main body may slow down greatly growing but nails and beaks keep growing just like peoples nails do.
 

Fiona82

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May 7, 2021
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Location (City and/or State)
Ipswich
Thanks William, it's the shell that's developed a light coloured band which I only noticed yesterday, I look at him every day and haven't noticed it before.
 

William Lee Kohler

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Oct 23, 2015
Messages
879
Location (City and/or State)
Eugene, OR
That's new growth. Growth slows down or nearly completely stops in adult reptiles of all kinds but may continue in a very slow and intermittent manner.
 
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