Dull shell

[katfinlou]

Hi everyone, ive seen lots of pics of beautiful torts on this forum and I wonder how my Hermanns shell is kind of dull looking and lacking 'depth' of colour, yet most on here seem to have a lovely richness and sheen. Is it because of her poor start or something im doing wrong just that hermanns aren't that shiny?

 

[Yvonne G]

Darn! You've discovered our secret. For pictures, most of us wash the tortoise real well to remove any dirt, even scrubbing with a soft brush, then we wet them again and quickly snap the picture. The trick is a wet shell, not any polish or wax.

 

[WithLisa]

Neither waxed nor wet, not even clean, but still a little beauty.


I don't like shiny shells. Dirt and scratches are just proof that the tortoise lives a full life in a structured enclosure with natural substrate.

 

[katfinlou]

So I can put she wax and buffing cloth away then? Lol
Im relieved that she's ok and just needs more time in the beauty parlour before her photo shoots lol

 

[katfinlou]

Neither waxed nor wet, not even clean, but still a little beauty.
View attachment 115059

I don't like shiny shells. Dirt and scratches are just proof that the tortoise lives a full life in a structured enclosure with natural substrate.

I agree, absolutely gorgeous

 

[Tom]

It also depends on the type of hermanni. The Easterns are beautiful tortoises, but they don't have the super duper vibrant colors of the Westerns. If you've been looking at pics of HermanniChris's Western tortoises, well then welcome to the jealously club. Nobody's tortoise pics look as good as his.

 

[katfinlou]

Ive no idea what kind she is to be honest, how would I find that out?

 

[Tom]

Ive no idea what kind she is to be honest, how would I find that out?

Westerns are very rare in the US. If you had one you would know it. Almost all of them over here are Easterns.

 

[johnandjade]

i have used this joke when people ask about looking after a tort so many times... and i still laugh every time!

 

[WithLisa]

If you've been looking at pics of HermanniChris's Western tortoises, well then welcome to the jealously club.

That's true, they are sooo beautiful!
Western Hermann's are not so rare around here, but I still decided to get Eastern because they are more suitable for my climate.

 

[Tom]

i have used this joke when people ask about looking after a tort so many times... and i still laugh every time!

Careful. Someone might take that seriously someday.

 

[johnandjade]

im very vocal about care involved, we got off to a 'pet store start' :/ , do my best to make sure it doesn't happen agin. but yeah i agree with you, could be unfortunate outcome

 

[dmmj]

So like women using push up bras, and photoshop, these pics are all lies, LIES!

 

[keepergale]

So like women using push up bras, and photoshop, these pics are all lies, LIES!

This is a family site so for once we won't ask for pictures.

 

[katfinlou]

View attachment 115066

i have used this joke when people ask about looking after a tort so many times... and i still laugh every time!

That did make me giggle

 

[katfinlou]

Westerns are very rare in the US. If you had one you would know it. Almost all of them over here are Easterns.

Im in the UK, are they rare here too?

 

[WithLisa]

@katfinlou take a look at the Hermann's care sheet, there are pictures how to distinguish between Western and Eastern.

I guess yours is Eastern.

 

[Tom]

Im in the UK, are they rare here too?

I really don't know. I've never been to the UK. Seems like they would be more common since they come from so close to there. Sometimes they call them "dwarf hermanns" tortoises in the UK. Its one of those confusing regional common names.

 

[johnandjade]

do you have paper work? we got some with our fido, i'm not sure what he is either! i'll try grab a pic

 

[johnandjade]