That is a little unusual, but its not anything that would cause me to be concerned. Like Blackdog suggested, I'd review the housing, substrate, temperatures and UV. The nails and position of the back legs are what caught my eye. What substrate is the tortoise on? Any sandstone or slate? What are you using for UV? Does it ever get outside in the sun? What do you feed it? Calcium supplementation?Hi everyone,
I just wanted to ask if you have ever had these markings on your tortoise before. Mines a growing Russian and has got cream like spots on his shell, however it's mainly around the growth ring. I know he does not have shell rot as his plastron is looking well.
Many thanks xx
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Up until 2 weeks ago he was on the tortoise terrain from pets at home that you told me to switch out. He's now on orchid bark.That is a little unusual, but its not anything that would cause me to be concerned. Like Blackdog suggested, I'd review the housing, substrate, temperatures and UV. The nails and position of the back legs are what caught my eye. What substrate is the tortoise on? Any sandstone or slate? What are you using for UV? Does it ever get outside in the sun? What do you feed it? Calcium supplementation?
All of that sounds excellent. The only thing I'd suggest is upping the basking temp to around 36C.Up until 2 weeks ago he was on the tortoise terrain from pets at home that you told me to switch out. He's now on orchid bark.
Basking temp is 32°C. Warm side is 30°C and cool side is around 26°C. The night temp rarely falls under 20°C.
His food plate is slate (which i recently just got). For uv and lighting he has the arcadia 12% UVB and uva full colour spectrum light.
His legs were only like that because he likes to sprawl out when he eats breakfast. He walks well and doesn't drag his carpace. He's also very good at climbing.
Diet includes radicchio (is that how you spell it), friseé (i.e endive leaves), lambs lettuce, romain, dandelion, bristly ox tounge, some other weeds from my garden. My nan has grape leaves and other weeds that don't grow in my garden so I'm going to pick some.
He gets a sprinkle of calcium 2-3x a week.
My garden isnt private since i live in a flat but i have taken him outside a few times, however i dont let him free roam because i have a lot of weeds in there that he can't eat.
Hopefully we're moving soon and I'll be getting him an 8 by 4 ft enclosure. This one was always going to be temporary so i could get the humidity up.
These markings only appeared around 2 days ago but he's been eating like a trooper still and excreting like normal.
Thank you both for replying xx
no problem, will do. XxAll of that sounds excellent. The only thing I'd suggest is upping the basking temp to around 36C.
My preferred method is to raise or lower the fixture to get the correct basking temp under it. I check it by placing a digital thermometer directly under the bulb and letting it bake for an hour or more. I raise or lower the fixture based on the temperature.no problem, will do. Xx
When i get his new vivarium, how can i fit the basking bulb to make sure it is at the right hight for the temperature? Do i need to get a dimming thermostat?
Sounds like a good idea, thank you?My preferred method is to raise or lower the fixture to get the correct basking temp under it. I check it by placing a digital thermometer directly under the bulb and letting it bake for an hour or more. I raise or lower the fixture based on the temperature.