EnIiight
New Member
So my Hermann's name is ironically Herman, and I took him in when I was in third grade (8-9 years old (I'm 16 now)) from someone who couldn't anymore. The only thing is, for the past 7-8 years, I haven't been taking the best care of him. I'm not going to make excuses like I was busy with school, a social life, and some health issues because it is 100% my fault; now I'm trying to change that. The main thing that's bothering me is that the bottom of his shell is really malleable and there are lines between the scutes (with like a light brown/reddish color). When I got him, he wasn't like this, so I don't think it's very healthy...
He's in a 13in x 37in cage, which I think is big enough, as he has a good amount of room to spread out. I used to have a loose coconut fiber substrate in there, but I switched to gravel because it's much easier and less messy to clean. However, ever since I made the switch in the last year, his condition has started to look worse, and I've noticed that some of the gravel is sticking to his tail and I'm worried that it may actually be embedding itself into him; is that possible and should I switch back or should I just not be worried?
Also, I know that torts are supposed to be exposed to a decent amount of UV light, and I think he might not be getting enough from my window, so I shall be investing in getting him a UV lamp.
If someone or some people could please respond and give advice/ confirm or disprove my worries, that would be greatly appreciated. I'm worried about my bby boy and I don't want to see him suffer. I've definitely made his life not fun, so I'm trying to turn over another leaf, but I need your help so I know what's right and wrong for him.
He's in a 13in x 37in cage, which I think is big enough, as he has a good amount of room to spread out. I used to have a loose coconut fiber substrate in there, but I switched to gravel because it's much easier and less messy to clean. However, ever since I made the switch in the last year, his condition has started to look worse, and I've noticed that some of the gravel is sticking to his tail and I'm worried that it may actually be embedding itself into him; is that possible and should I switch back or should I just not be worried?
Also, I know that torts are supposed to be exposed to a decent amount of UV light, and I think he might not be getting enough from my window, so I shall be investing in getting him a UV lamp.
If someone or some people could please respond and give advice/ confirm or disprove my worries, that would be greatly appreciated. I'm worried about my bby boy and I don't want to see him suffer. I've definitely made his life not fun, so I'm trying to turn over another leaf, but I need your help so I know what's right and wrong for him.