Shell comparison

Davidhunter581 · Jul 16, 2019

I was looking at pictures of Russian torts and a lot them seem a lot more smooth than mines does. I’ve attached a picture of him when I first got him two years ago and one I took earlier today (the grass one). And his shell appears bumpier than most. Is this normal? As he looks like he’s always been a bit bumpy. He’s kept in a tort table so humidity isn’t great but I keep it damp, I use coconut coir and he has a closed off area that is damper and logs to hide under but he spends a lot of time basking under his lamp. I feed him a good diet and provide calcium powder once a week. Thanks

ZEROPILOT · Jul 16, 2019

He is a little pyramided.
But it's a cosmetic thing.
Some of it will smooth over time. But it will remain bumpy overall

Davidhunter581 · Jul 16, 2019

ZEROPILOT said:
He is a little pyramided.
But it's a cosmetic thing.
Some of it will smooth over time. But it will remain bumpy overall

Do you know why he’s always been bumpy, when the rest I’ve seen are smooth? As I got him he was less than a year old. Just how it is? Or more a habitat issue?

T Smart · Jul 16, 2019

He was most likely raised too dry. Don’t worry! Like stated above, it’s only cosmetic and isn’t that severe.

As for your other question, my only thought would be that most Russians you see are wild caught, which have little if any pyramiding. Captive bred Russians tend to have bumps due to improper conditions early on.

Shuler24 · Jul 16, 2019

He’s a cutie. Look at that face!

Viola B · Jul 16, 2019

Beautiful looking tortoise. His coloring is beautiful.

Tortoise Rescue Brenda · Jul 17, 2019

Add more humidity to his environment regularly to improve the pyramiding. It is mostly cosmetic, especially when mild. However, I have read severe pyramiding can cause lung damage.

puffinboots · Jul 17, 2019

Davidhunter581 said:
View attachment 276643 View attachment 276644
He’s not too bad, but try not to over feed him. I know , it’s always said to be due to other reasons, but having kept & bred tortoises of the same breed since the early 90’s I have come to the obvious conclusion that it’s only over feeding that causes pyramiding.

I was looking at pictures of Russian torts and a lot them seem a lot more smooth than mines does. I’ve attached a picture of him when I first got him two years ago and one I took earlier today (the grass one). And his shell appears bumpier than most. Is this normal? As he looks like he’s always been a bit bumpy. He’s kept in a tort table so humidity isn’t great but I keep it damp, I use coconut coir and he has a closed off area that is damper and logs to hide under but he spends a lot of time basking under his lamp. I feed him a good diet and provide calcium powder once a week. Thanks

Ben02 · Jul 18, 2019

Don’t get stressed about it, he looks very happy and healthy. Plus he has an adorable face.

Shell comparison

Davidhunter581

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ZEROPILOT

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Davidhunter581

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T Smart

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Shuler24

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Viola B

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Tortoise Rescue Brenda

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puffinboots

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Ben02

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