Is my tortoise’s shell pyramiding?
- Thread starter hopechavez
- Start date
Hello and welcome.
To see and assess pyramiding, we need profile pictures taken from the side showing the top of the carapace in silhouette. A top down view on a 2D computer screen doesn't show it well. There does appear to be some pyramiding, but different pics will show it better.
Here is the correct care info. There is a heating and lighting breakdown and a sulcata care sheet near the bottom. Questions are welcome:
Info For New People. Please Read This First.
Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...
tortoiseforum.org
Side on pic would be helpful but when I expand your pics I can see a ridge of the black new growth and the pa!e scute. Regardless pyramid can not be reversed and effects the spine and welfare. I recommend you read the link and check settings and adjust to get future smooth shell. More soaks, humidity, calcium , diet, heat and light all contribute and are worth working hard to get accurate.
hopechavez
New Member
Hello and welcome.
To see and assess pyramiding, we need profile pictures taken from the side showing the top of the carapace in silhouette. A top down view on a 2D computer screen doesn't show it well. There does appear to be some pyramiding, but different pics will show it better.
Here is the correct care info. There is a heating and lighting breakdown and a sulcata care sheet near the bottom. Questions are welcome:
Info For New People. Please Read This First.
Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...
Attachments
hopechavez
New Member
Attachments
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2013
- Messages
- 3,398
Yes, it is getting the beginnings of pyramiding. Look for the thread "Best Way to Raise a Sulcata Tortoise" and follow the recommendations. That will help you stop the pyramiding.
I would post a link, but I got a server error when looking for it.
I would post a link, but I got a server error when looking for it.
Alex and the Redfoot
Well-Known Member
Here is the link to the post mentioned above: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-best-way-to-raise-a-sulcata-leopard-or-star-tortoise.181497/
hopechavez
New Member
Hi Tom, I do have another question. At which rate should he gain weight? When I first got him exactly 3 months ago he weighed 50g, and he currently weighs 64g (+14 g in 3 mos). Is this an adequate growth rate? Thanks!Hello and welcome.
To see and assess pyramiding, we need profile pictures taken from the side showing the top of the carapace in silhouette. A top down view on a 2D computer screen doesn't show it well. There does appear to be some pyramiding, but different pics will show it better.
Here is the correct care info. There is a heating and lighting breakdown and a sulcata care sheet near the bottom. Questions are welcome:
Info For New People. Please Read This First.
Hello and welcome to tortoiseforum.org! We are all glad you are here! There is no other forum like this anywhere. We have tens of thousands of members from all over the world ranging from kids with their first tortoise to people who have been breeding and keeping high end tortoises since the...
That is a very slow growth rate, but typical for a dry started baby. Most breeders do not start hatchings correctly, and the sellers don't house them any better.
Mine hatch at around 30-35 grams. Within 3 months they are usually around 100 grams. At 6 months they are typically around 300 grams. Around 1000 grams at 12 months old. I don't power feed or load up on the protein, so my growth rates are not fast. Many people grow them much faster than I do. I try to grow them "healthy". I really don't care about the rate of growth, but the above is typical for babies that are started correctly and fed lots of weeds, grasses, and leaves.
You've had yours for three months, but do you know how old it was when you got it? Did it still have an egg tooth?
Read the threads that me and Alex left for you for more info.
hopechavez
New Member
They said he was between 2-4 mos old. But based on other photos I’ve seen I figured he was on the younger side of the range. I don’t think he had an egg tooth. His beak looks the same now as it did when I got him. I’ll attach a photo from the day I got him
Attachments
64 grams at 5-7 months old is small, but the good news is that once they get past 50 grams, and keep growing, you are past the point where they stall and die. With good heat and humidity, hydration, and a decent diet, the growth rate should improve over time.
He looks pyramid from when you got him. Get him set up properly ASAP or he will just get worse. Once he is properly cared for in the correct closed chamber with high humidity, he should start to grow smoother and hopefully will put on some size. Feed a mazuri soaked pellet once or twice a week, it usually helps to put weight and size on.
