Marks on the underside horsefield shell

HowardMoon

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2021
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
London UK
Hello,

We got our Horsefield, Howard, a month ago. Not sure of his exact age but he was sold as a 2020 hatchling, he currently weighs 62 grams.

I've recently noticed he's got some white marks on his underside parallel to the seam running through the middle. He's also got some grooves that go in coming off the white marks. I've attached some pictures but the grooves are particularly hard to see as they are the same dark colour. Walking fine, eating fine, basking fine.

Is it something to be concerned about? Shell rot? Pyramiding? Injury? Or just panicking?

Thanks!
 

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Tom

The Dog Trainer
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Platinum Tortoise Club
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Messages
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I don't see anything on the plastron that looks out of order. The carapace is pyramiding though, which is an indicator that the tortoise has been housed in the typical wrong fashion. Most of the care advice and products sold for tortoises is all wrong. Here is the correct housing info:

Questions are welcome.
 

HowardMoon

New Member
Joined
May 22, 2021
Messages
4
Location (City and/or State)
London UK
I don't see anything on the plastron that looks out of order. The carapace is pyramiding though, which is an indicator that the tortoise has been housed in the typical wrong fashion. Most of the care advice and products sold for tortoises is all wrong. Here is the correct housing info:

Questions are welcome.
Thanks Tom. When we got him it looks like the breeder probably kept him quite dry as he was on the hay pellets and the care advice didn't mention anything about soaking. We've changed quite a few things such as substrate (coco coir), humidity and soaking thanks to this forum. I'll look into getting him a more humid hide and spray him down more often.

Is this something that would have started from before we got him? Is it too late to reverse or slow down the effects?

Thanks for your time.
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 9, 2010
Messages
63,270
Location (City and/or State)
Southern California
Thanks Tom. When we got him it looks like the breeder probably kept him quite dry as he was on the hay pellets and the care advice didn't mention anything about soaking. We've changed quite a few things such as substrate (coco coir), humidity and soaking thanks to this forum. I'll look into getting him a more humid hide and spray him down more often.

Is this something that would have started from before we got him? Is it too late to reverse or slow down the effects?

Thanks for your time.
Definitely before you got him, and you are already aware of what needed to be done, so it should improve going forward.
 

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