Ashy Shell

[Amaripop]

Hello tortoise family😄 i have a question regarding to my adult female russian tortoise. Her shell is ashy and im not sure why. When i give her a bath the ash goes away but when i dry her it looks like that. Is there some type of safe oils i can use? Or is it something else?

 

[jsheffield]

You can use a bit of coconut oil on their shell, but it's likely fine without.

Jamie

 

[zovick]

Hello tortoise family😄 i have a question regarding to my adult female russian tortoise. Her shell is ashy and im not sure why. When i give her a bath the ash goes away but when i dry her it looks like that. Is there some type of safe oils i can use? Or is it something else?
View attachment 363192

It looks like you are getting mineral deposits on the shell from the water you are using. As the water evaporates, the minerals are left on the tortoise's shell. This is not uncommon. To remove the deposits, you can use white vinegar on a rag or cotton swab or brushed into the shell with a toothbrush (which is probably the most efficient method). The vinegar works best if it is warmed up before using it to dissolve the deposits.

You can also use lemon juice which will dissolve the deposits as well.

 

[Amaripop]

It looks like you are getting mineral deposits on the shell from the water you are using. As the water evaporates, the minerals are left on the tortoise's shell. This is not uncommon. To remove the deposits, you can use white vinegar on a rag or cotton swab or brushed into the shell with a toothbrush (which is probably the most efficient method). The vinegar works best if it is warmed up before using it to dissolve the deposits.

You can also use lemon juice which will dissolve the deposits as well.

Thank you so much!!

 

[Amaripop]

You can use a bit of coconut oil on their shell, but it's likely fine without.

Jamie

Thank you very much!!

 

[Tom]

I agree with both Zovick and Jamie.

I prevent the hard water stains by rinsing with plain water that has no minerals in it. You can buy distilled, but I just collect rainwater and put it in a sprayer. Reverse osmosis will work for this too. Do not use this demineralized water for drinking or soaking. Only use it to rinse them off after soaking.

 

[Amaripop]

I agree with both Zovick and Jamie.

I prevent the hard water stains by rinsing with plain water that has no minerals in it. You can buy distilled, but I just collect rainwater and put it in a sprayer. Reverse osmosis will work for this too. Do not use this demineralized water for drinking or soaking. Only use it to rinse them off after soaking.

I thank you so much!! I have well water so i can why her shell is the way it is. Ill be sure to use these tactics on my tort!!

 

[Tom]

I thank you so much!! I have well water so i can why her shell is the way it is. Ill be sure to use these tactics on my tort!!

Me too! My well water is safe to drink, but its certainly high in mineral content too.