Is my tortoise pyramiding?

[Alison Gammage]

Hi, this is my almost two year old Hermann's tortoise, Marley. Recently he's started sleeping more and I posted asking about it. I was told it was just because of the seasons changing and it being winter now. However, someone told me he looked like he is beginning to pyramid and I wanted some more opinions. Here he is and please let me know.

 

[Herman_WA]

Yes, unfortunately he is starting to pyramid. To stop it from getting worse, try to bost up the humidity in his enclosure, and soak him often.

 

[FrankIinTheTortoise]

Hi, this is my almost two year old Hermann's tortoise, Marley. Recently he's started sleeping more and I posted asking about it. I was told it was just because of the seasons changing and it being winter now. However, someone told me he looked like he is beginning to pyramid and I wanted some more opinions. Here he is and please let me know.

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That's definitely the first stage of pyramiding. To stop it, I agree with @Herman_WA , soak him more often and boost the humidity in his enclosure.

 

[zovick]

Hi, this is my almost two year old Hermann's tortoise, Marley. Recently he's started sleeping more and I posted asking about it. I was told it was just because of the seasons changing and it being winter now. However, someone told me he looked like he is beginning to pyramid and I wanted some more opinions. Here he is and please let me know.

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Yes, the tortoise is pyramiding.

 

[Alison Gammage]

Thanks everyone, thats what I've been doing

 

[JoesMum]

Thanks everyone, thats what I've been doing

Hi Alison,

To raise the humidity you need a cover over the enclosure and the substrate must be an earthy type like fine grade orchid bark or coco coir which is damp (not wet).

To dampen the substrate, remove all the decor and tip water in from a jug. Mix it thoroughly with your hands until it is all damp right to the bottom and into the corners.

Without a cover over the enclosure though any attempt to raise humidity is futile. Some people use a plant tent like this

 

[Melymann]

I have this same greenhouse enclosure and it is awesome!

 

[myrtle651]

Your tort looks fine. Just do as your doing. Mist your enclosure more to help with the pyramiding. Unless you want to breed your tortoises, it’s no big deal. My two stars are over 12 years old. Had the one with more pyramids first. 8 months later got 2nd one along with a auto misting system. You can notice the pyramids. The one with larger pyramids is very active. It even survived a dog bite.

 

[1wildtiger]

The plastic mini greenhouse has really helped with the humidity levels on the table top for my Eastern Hermanns. I’m using this until I receive the closed chamber enclosures I ordered from Mark. Mine were also starting to pyramid. I’ve also been limiting the time that the UVB light stays on. Hope this helps!! Good luck!!