Pancake shell question

[cincywhips]

First of all, I hope this photo shows up because I haven't quite figured out this forum yet.
We've had Jack for about two months now, and he is our first tortoise. I have been wanting one, and he came up in a rehoming situation on Craigslist.
So far, he is doing great. He hides a lot, but he eats well, poops well, and visits his soaking tub often on his own.
I was just wondering about his shell. It looks abnormal compared to the others I see on this site. I am an amateur when it comes to tortoises, so I thought I'd ask.

 

[ascott]

Hi! I am no expert on this species by any sense of the word....so I am just looking at the shell as a shell and not a species...

I see what appears to have been some type of damage to the shell along with some pyramiding....when you look at the plastron are there any abnormalities there as well?

The designs and color contrasts are absolutely lovely....

 

[Tortoise Hub]

Lots of split scutes on that pancake but it looks pretty good to me but would need more pics to tell if something was wrong with the shell.

 

[cincywhips]

Thanks for the replies! I thought he had a lot of split scutes, and I just wondered if that was normal because I have never seen so many.
Since my picture worked, here are a few more from this morning.











Thanks!
Catherine

 

[GBtortoises]

Lots of split scutes, definite pronounced pyramiding (for a Pancake). The split scutes are caused by genetics and/or temperatures and humdity during incubation. The pyamiding can be caused by several factors including lack of any substrate moisture and proper hydration, higher than normal protein in the diet, excessive use of vitamins and being kept consistently much too hot. Regardless, the split scutes and the pyramiding are permanent.

 

[cincywhips]

Thanks! So want can I do to get my guy on the right track? He lives in a 2x3.5 foot enclosure for now and has dry coconut bedding (about 2 inches). He gets soaked several times a week and soaks himself several times a week, also. The room he is in is not humid and averages about 80-85 degrees. He has a hot spot from a
PowerSun bulb that is 100-105 degrees. He gets outside, but it's been chilly and wet here in Ohio lately, so hasn't been out in a week. He hides most of the day, but I have caught him basking often and I know he soaks because he poops in his water. He gets a diet of mixed greens (lately mustard and collared greens, romaine, and dandelion) sprinkled weekly with calcium powder, which he is not fond of. I think he is 1.5 years old.
The previous owner had him for a year and kept him in a tortoise table with mv uva/uvb/heat lights on for 12 hours a day.
What else can I do to keep his shell healthy?
Thanks so much!
Catherine

 

[tortadise]

Sounds like you have all te correct ideals for him. Pancakes are relatively shy. They do like to hide a lot. At least mine do. Diet seems good try to give him some grasses. Make sure he has plenty of hiding spots. These guys live in crevices and are use to hiding ALOT. Might want to maybe put a humidifier in the room to boost it up a bit. Just keep doing the soaks and rub vitashell on his shell after his soak to aid in future health: the damage
Is already done. The thing to do now is just to hope he will grow through it being his age.

 

[cincywhips]

A few more pics!

---

One more question...I thought this was a low-humidity species. How much humidity does this guy need? I have been soaking, but do I need to keep his substrate moist? I have several humidifiers (warm, cool, etc). Does he need one?
Catherine

 

[Jacob]

Yes it has split scutes and some pyramiding, probably from the breeder.
Just soak him a couple times weekly, and leave fresh water out daily

 

[tortadise]

Pancakes are a relatively low humid required tortoise. But in this case it should help over the next year or so to get his shell growing in better, it won't be perfect but can be improved. If your getting 50% humidity that is a good medium to him. The soaks will help a lot too. Lots of sunshine when you can get him outside is best. Just keep on doing what your doing and he will be in great shape before you know it. Your done a great job so far.

 

[deadheadvet]

I've had pancake tortoises for a while, and generally they don't like to soak at all. Maybe 3-4 minutes at best then they want out. Best advice I can give is to get the humidity up in your environment and not worry so much on soaking. 50% humidity is as good as you will get. Good luck remember they are crevice dwellers in mountainous regions where water is not abundant.

 

[EricIvins]

Actually they are crevice dwellers that are always found near permanent water........They are very motivated by rain and higher humidity, and will become very active when the conditions are right.......I think the general consensus in captivity is to keep these animals way too dry.......Treat them like a Box Turtle or Wood Turtle and you'll see alot more behavior and stimulation out of them.........

 

[Mrs.Robinson]

He looks beautiful to me! I don't know why his colors are so vivid but hes gorgeous!

First of all, I hope this photo shows up because I haven't quite figured out this forum yet.
We've had Jack for about two months now, and he is our first tortoise. I have been wanting one, and he came up in a rehoming situation on Craigslist.
So far, he is doing great. He hides a lot, but he eats well, poops well, and visits his soaking tub often on his own.
I was just wondering about his shell. It looks abnormal compared to the others I see on this site. I am an amateur when it comes to tortoises, so I thought I'd ask.

View attachment 20894

 

[pam]

Great color