bottom shell ridges

[robh]

hi all, just bought a little Hermann tortoise at the weekend, hes just settling in but ive noticed on his undershell hes got ridges as in the picture, ive asked a couple of people about it one said its normal another said its due to a lack of humidity , anyone got any ideas, and if it will be a problem in later life at all, he seems happy enough and we love him

 

[Hmucha711]

hi all, just bought a little Hermann tortoise at the weekend, hes just settling in but ive noticed on his undershell hes got ridges as in the picture, ive asked a couple of people about it one said its normal another said its due to a lack of humidity , anyone got any ideas, and if it will be a problem in later life at all, he seems happy enough and we love him

I have the same concern, I hope someone replies.

 

[Jan A]

hi all, just bought a little Hermann tortoise at the weekend, hes just settling in but ive noticed on his undershell hes got ridges as in the picture, ive asked a couple of people about it one said its normal another said its due to a lack of humidity , anyone got any ideas, and if it will be a problem in later life at all, he seems happy enough and we love him

Welcome to the forum. It would be helpful to know how old your tort is & where you bought him. Have you been soaking him daily. How's his appetite & what you're feeding him, instructions you received from the seller & a couple of photos of his enclosure.

I'm a newbie & no experience. But you have come to the right source for up-to-date care & feeding info from experienced tort owners & breeders. Info on the Web tends to be outdated, unproven or just sadly wrong. Someone will be all over this soon & back to you.

 

[Yossarian]

This is kind of normal, in this case the ridges are unusually pronounced. Im not too sure what causes it, though, I have read that lack of moisture/humidity can cause scute margins to raise. Im not sure if thats what this is though.

Lets ask some people who have seen a lot of torts, maybe they have seen this.

@Yvonne G
@Tom

 

[Tom]

hi all, just bought a little Hermann tortoise at the weekend, hes just settling in but ive noticed on his undershell hes got ridges as in the picture, ive asked a couple of people about it one said its normal another said its due to a lack of humidity , anyone got any ideas, and if it will be a problem in later life at all, he seems happy enough and we love him

Its probably from being in too dry of an environment. Most of the care info given and products sold for these guys is all wrong. Pet shops are infamous for giving bad info and selling bad products.

Here is the correct care info: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-best-way-to-raise-any-temperate-species-of-tortoise.183131/