Pyramiding

Kiki09

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I received my two sulcata torts two months ago, Bartholomew and Montgomery. They are 10 months and doing great. They are active and eating well. I am really nervous about the pyramiding issues I have read about. Both of their shells looks the same as when I got them but don’t know if they have pyramiding already. Could you look at the pictures and advise.
 

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Neal

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Both are pyramiding. Their shells should be smooth and the tortoise should have an overall domed shape.

You'll need to review the caresheets on the forum. The tortoises will need more moisture in their habitat and plenty of drinking water in order for the new growth to smooth out.
 

Kiki09

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Both are pyramiding. Their shells should be smooth and the tortoise should have an overall domed shape.

You'll need to review the caresheets on the forum. The tortoises will need more moisture in their habitat and plenty of drinking water in order for the new growth to smooth out.
I appreciate the feedback. As I said before, this is the way they were when we got them. The habitat we have for them is set up regarding the moisture and they have a terracotta bowl that is always kept with clean water. I soak them every other day at this point.
 

Neal

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As pyramiding goes, they don't look too horrible. Their shells still have a symmetrical look. Sometimes we will see pyramiding that is distorts the shell quite a bit, which may be a sign of other heath issues.

Your tortoises can still live a long happy life. They are still small enough that the pyramiding may become less noticeable when they reach adult size if the better conditions are maintained. Keep up the good work.
 

Kiki09

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I
As pyramiding goes, they don't look too horrible. Their shells still have a symmetrical look. Sometimes we will see pyramiding that is distorts the shell quite a bit, which may be a sign of other heath issues.

Your tortoises can still live a long happy life. They are still small enough that the pyramiding may become less noticeable when they reach adult size if the better conditions are maintained. Keep up the good work.
 

wellington

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Also you do know they should not be housed together right?
Tortoises do not do well and sulcatas are one of the worse to be in a pair situation.
 

wellington

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Be aware that not all bullying is obvious. One growing faster, not letting the other in a hide or hogging the water dish or food plate, constant following etc. Then of course the more obvious. Then, if they have a huge enclosure you might get away with them doing fine.
 

Tom

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I received my two sulcata torts two months ago, Bartholomew and Montgomery. They are 10 months and doing great. They are active and eating well. I am really nervous about the pyramiding issues I have read about. Both of their shells looks the same as when I got them but don’t know if they have pyramiding already. Could you look at the pictures and advise.
Your tortoises are pyramiding significantly and its because their environment is not correct. The usual care advice given for this tropical species is all wrong. They are NOT desert dwellers. They need warm humid monsoon conditions with high humidity and warm nights. Here is the correct care info:

If you make a couple of large indoor closed chambers, you can get the new growth that is coming to look a lot better.

They need to be separated now. Overt hostility is that last stage, but its a problem now. Groups of juveniles can work, but not pairs. Its just too personal. The constant low grade stress is not good for either of them. The submissive one wants to leave the territory of the dominant one, and the dominant one wants him to leave. Do them a favor and grant both their wishes.
 

Kiki09

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Be aware that not all bullying is obvious. One growing faster, not letting the other in a hide or hogging the water dish or food plate, constant following etc. Then of course the more obvious. Then, if they have a huge enclosure you might get away with them doing fine.
Your tortoises are pyramiding significantly and its because their environment is not correct. The usual care advice given for this tropical species is all wrong. They are NOT desert dwellers. They need warm humid monsoon conditions with high humidity and warm nights. Here is the correct care info:

If you make a couple of large indoor closed chambers, you can get the new growth that is coming to look a lot better.

They need to be separated now. Overt hostility is that last stage, but its a problem now. Groups of juveniles can work, but not pairs. Its just too personal. The constant low grade stress is not good for either of them. The submissive one wants to leave the territory of the dominant one, and the dominant one wants him to leave. Do them a favor and grant both their
 

Kiki09

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So their pyramiding has not changed since we received them. Just wanted to make sure that these were not normal shells. We have a great environmental system set up for them. In fact, we used the care sheet that you attached to verify that we doing it correctly. We have your actual printout by their area still. My husband (who is stickler) on this checks it three times a day to make sure it is correct.

Regarding bullying, we have read up on this also and totally agree with what you are saying. They are in an huge (very huge) inside area. They are from the same clutch and always have been together. They each have their own personalities and typically do their own thing. Both are fed separately, have their own hides, have their own water. The only thing they do together is on a very large rock.

We are sure that we will need to separate them eventually but right now it seems to work. These torts are in a common area so they are watched constantly.

I really appreciate your comments!
 

Kiki09

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Joined
May 11, 2021
Messages
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Location (City and/or State)
Holden
So their pyramiding has not changed since we received them. Just wanted to make sure that these were not normal shells. We have a great environmental system set up for them. In fact, we used the care sheet that you attached to verify that we doing it correctly. We have your actual printout by their area still. My husband (who is stickler) on this checks it three times a day to make sure it is correct.

Regarding bullying, we have read up on this also and totally agree with what you are saying. They are in an huge (very huge) inside area. They are from the same clutch and always have been together. They each have their own personalities and typically do their own thing. Both are fed separately, have their own hides, have their own water. The only thing they do together is bask on a very large rock.

We are sure that we will need to separate them eventually but right now it seems to work. These torts are in a common area so they are watched constantly.

I really appreciate your comments!
 

Kiki09

New Member
Joined
May 11, 2021
Messages
10
Location (City and/or State)
Holden
So their pyramiding has not changed since we received them. Just wanted to make sure that these were not normal shells. We have a great environmental system set up for them. In fact, we used the care sheet that you attached to verify that we doing it correctly. We have your actual printout by their area still. My husband (who is stickler) on this checks it three times a day to make sure it is correct.

Regarding bullying, we have read up on this also and totally agree with what you are saying. They are in an huge (very huge) inside area. They are from the same clutch and always have been together. They each have their own personalities and typically do their own thing. Both are fed separately, have their own hides, have their own water. The only thing they do together is on a very large rock.

We are sure that we will need to separate them eventually but right now it seems to work. These torts are in a common area so they are watched constantly.

I really appreciate your comments!
Meant they bask on the rock together.
 

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