Signs of pyramiding? Healthy growth?
- Thread starter ayrgrn
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- healthy pyramiding tortoise
I really fail to see why all this alarm is being raised over a 7month tortoise hatchling which is being looked after in as perfect conditions and care as possible. Ive been a Mediterranean tortoise breeder for 15 years and would never class this as extensive pyramiding. The OP and myself are UK residents and our climate is totally different from that of the US.
I have never seen Meds "covered" in plastic sheeting and the advice is against vivariums for these breeds as the heat is too intense and creates a dry atmosphere which encourages the very growth pattern this thread is trying to prevent
I have never seen Meds "covered" in plastic sheeting and the advice is against vivariums for these breeds as the heat is too intense and creates a dry atmosphere which encourages the very growth pattern this thread is trying to prevent
Seeing this is an American based forum your 30-35 degrees will be less confusing if you stated that in celcius and as in degrees would be awfully cold here in the US as we do farenheit.
I agree Mediterranean tortoises don't need the same amount of humidity while babies that leopards and sulcatas do, however, a bit of humidity really helps them to grow smoothly. I don't see excessive pyramiding in the OP's tortoise either. I think a humid hiding place with a moistened substrate would be all that's required. Oh, and changing from the desiccating light to a softer fluorescent tube helps in that regard too.
Oh yes of course I was struggling to keep the thread consistent as it's winging to and fro between the two countries. We do centigrade not celcius !! It seems that we view tortoise husbandry rather differently as many keepers over here now use the mercury vapour lamps rather than the 2 separate sources. I do agree they are quite fierce in output though the Arcadia updated ones are better than most.
Anyway I think as you say the little tortoise is doing just fine and should be enjoyed as much as possible.
SweetGreekTorts
Well-Known Member
Humidity helps my Testudo (graeca) a lot! I soak my babies daily, keep their habitats "hot and humid," provide humid hides, and they are growing smoother than butter.
Beautiful. What age are these?
SweetGreekTorts
Well-Known Member
My babies are about 7-8 months. Currently raising 11 Greeks and 2 Russians. All are growing incredibly smooth and solid.
They look great. How do you keep your humidity up?
It's easier to keep them smooth if starting out right. If one is already pyramided it's harder to get the new growth smooth. This is where the closed chambers besides a good way to start them will also help with the already pyramided much better then just a humid hide and sprayinh.
Seriously? You cant see the pyramiding? It's not slight. This tortoise most definitely would benefit much more with a closed chamber. The spraying isnt helping that's what they have been doing. A humid hide always is good but no way is that and spraying enough.
SweetGreekTorts
Well-Known Member
Very true. I got these when they were about 4 weeks old. I started them in 54-gallon tubs with a lid on (the lid was cut to allow for a UVA basking bulb, and a separate fluorescent UVB tube light - which also allowed a little fresh airflow). Kept the substrate damp (top layer was dry, underneath was damp). Humid hides with warm moist sphagnum moss. Temp never drops below 80 degrees Farenheit, and humidity stays at 80% (never had an issue maintaining either). Now they are in 4x3 tortoise tables with a shower curtain over the top (there are small openings on each side for airflow).
Wolfpackin
Member
I agree!
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