Peeling

[Adarsta86]

Okay, I know peeling is a pretty normal thing, especially when Torts are stressed. I haven't been thinking too much of Raspy and his peeling problem, but in the last week (our move back up to Maine from NJ) I've noticed he's peeling much worse. He even has developed a small dark brown spot on the soft part of his neck. It looks sort of like a bruise, but it doesn't seem to bother him. I took him to a vet, not about the peeling but just as a general check up since he was WC, and she said everything looked fine. His fecal came back clean too. Any ideas? Or am I overreacting a little bit?

 

[Yvonne G]

Peeling is normal, however, being too dry can be one of the causes of it. What kind of substrate do you use, and can you moisten it?

 

[Adarsta86]

We use a 60/40 ratio of top soil and play sand, as well as some cedar bedding. It gets moistened with a spray bottle daily, and I mix water in it once or twice a week for humidity purposes. Raspy gets a soak 2-3 times a week.

 

[tortoisenerd]

At some stages of the growth process and if there is a lack of humidity, you might see increased peeling. You can soak more often if you want, but never pick at it. Even with changes in temperature you can see humidity changes. But, peeling is very natural, especially around the head and neck. If you wanted to take a photo of the spot on his neck we'd be glad to look at it, but from what you said I'm not worried.