This is just my experience. Not something to debate. This is just what I have personally seen.
Long read sorry!
So as most of you know now. Spraying a tortoises shell plays a vital role in whether or not it stays smoother or not (at least with our captive bred babies).
When I first joined the forum in 2009, there was no talk about spraying a tortoises shell with water. Except for redfoots/yellowfoots. Spraying a leopard tortoise was not common knowledge.
At about a year old. My first Leopard, Thor had some decent pyramiding. I got him at about 4 months old, and I doubt he was sprayed at all those first few months.
He was always kept on moist (almost dripping wet) coconut coir. Had plenty of hides and humidity was usually between 60-99% (90%+ in the hides). Was fed spring mix, endive, kale, escarole, hibiscus, collards, turnips and many other high nutritional greens. Also was fed Mazuri 1-2 times a week (moistened).
He was also soaked numerous times a week, on top of having access to water 24/7 (which he used almost daily). Vitamins once a week, with calcium daily as well.
No matter how humid I kept it, I noticed my little tortoise just kept getting worse. Once he hit about a year old, was when Tom mentioned that he knew keepers that sprayed their Leopards shells and they had very smooth shells.
So from Thor being 1 years old, until now (About 2 years old now). I sprayed Thor's shell 1-5 times daily. I haven't noticed it starting to smooth out yet, and it slowly gets worse as time goes on. But it has seemed to slow it down some. I think what people say is true. In that it will take many years to start reversing it.
Here he was at a year old.
And now.
He's still an active healthy tortoise. Just with a non-smooth shell.
And now Sif. I got her at around 4 months old as well. And again, doubt she was sprayed those first months.
I basically gave her the same treatment as Thor. I knew my diet and enclosure were good. The only thing different with her was I sprayed her shell 1-4 times a day since the first day I got her.
Here she was when she arrived.
About 8-9 months old.
And now, at 1 years old.
Now she isn't perfectly smooth. But the difference between her and Thor is astounding. And the only thing that was changed, was the spraying.
I haven't posted in a while and wanted to show people how much of a difference spraying CAN make. Especially to newer keepers just coming in.
In my case, Thor's is just cosmetic. He is healthy as can be. Same with Sif. But I do wish I had known how much spraying the shells could make earlier on.
Long read sorry!
So as most of you know now. Spraying a tortoises shell plays a vital role in whether or not it stays smoother or not (at least with our captive bred babies).
When I first joined the forum in 2009, there was no talk about spraying a tortoises shell with water. Except for redfoots/yellowfoots. Spraying a leopard tortoise was not common knowledge.
At about a year old. My first Leopard, Thor had some decent pyramiding. I got him at about 4 months old, and I doubt he was sprayed at all those first few months.
He was always kept on moist (almost dripping wet) coconut coir. Had plenty of hides and humidity was usually between 60-99% (90%+ in the hides). Was fed spring mix, endive, kale, escarole, hibiscus, collards, turnips and many other high nutritional greens. Also was fed Mazuri 1-2 times a week (moistened).
He was also soaked numerous times a week, on top of having access to water 24/7 (which he used almost daily). Vitamins once a week, with calcium daily as well.
No matter how humid I kept it, I noticed my little tortoise just kept getting worse. Once he hit about a year old, was when Tom mentioned that he knew keepers that sprayed their Leopards shells and they had very smooth shells.
So from Thor being 1 years old, until now (About 2 years old now). I sprayed Thor's shell 1-5 times daily. I haven't noticed it starting to smooth out yet, and it slowly gets worse as time goes on. But it has seemed to slow it down some. I think what people say is true. In that it will take many years to start reversing it.
Here he was at a year old.
And now.
He's still an active healthy tortoise. Just with a non-smooth shell.
And now Sif. I got her at around 4 months old as well. And again, doubt she was sprayed those first months.
I basically gave her the same treatment as Thor. I knew my diet and enclosure were good. The only thing different with her was I sprayed her shell 1-4 times a day since the first day I got her.
Here she was when she arrived.
About 8-9 months old.
And now, at 1 years old.
Now she isn't perfectly smooth. But the difference between her and Thor is astounding. And the only thing that was changed, was the spraying.
I haven't posted in a while and wanted to show people how much of a difference spraying CAN make. Especially to newer keepers just coming in.
In my case, Thor's is just cosmetic. He is healthy as can be. Same with Sif. But I do wish I had known how much spraying the shells could make earlier on.
