Pyramiding?
- Thread starter TuttleTime55
- Start date
turtwigtortoise
Member
There does seem to be some signs of pyramiding there - can’t reverse but can help promote smooth future growth if you make changes now! 
What are your humidity levels / current light set up like?
What are your humidity levels / current light set up like?
TuttleTime55
New Member
I use 2 zoo med powersun bulbs when he is indoors. Humidity ranges between 80-90% I do plan on moving him outdoors soon though.
Think about his calcium intake, and I could be wrong, but I'm thinking those bulbs are responsible for desiccating carapaces. He has a very mild pyramiding you can stop it now with changes to his care. You're in Florida, why isn't he outside now?
TuttleTime55
New Member
I've been nervous about putting him outside because of predators. I live in an extremely rural area but I think it's time for me to build him his own tortoise fort outdoors for his health and safety.
Definitely pyramiding and its almost certainly due to the MVBs. Those shouldn't be used over tortoises.
Most of the care info given for this species is wrong. Here is the correct care info:
The Best Way To Raise A Sulcata, Leopard, Or Star Tortoise
I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies? Yes. Yes there are, but those ways are not as good. What follows is the BEST way, according to 30 years of research and experimentation with hundreds of babies of many species. Babies hatch during the...
tortoiseforum.org
He looks big enough to live outside full time. I was just in FL last weekend (It was MAGNIFICENT and I want to move there...) and it was actually pretty cool. I was surprised to see the temp at 59 degrees in the Ft. Meyers area when I got up in the morning. This is too cool for a sulcata overnight, especially in your humidity. Here is how you solve this problem, and keep your tortoise safe at night all at the same time: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/single-tortoise-night-box.181515/
Here is another way to do a little bigger box with a different heating strategy. You could make a two sided pen with a divider in the middle and let the tortoise graze one side while the other side recovers. Swap sides periodically and re-seed the grass. You'd never have to "feed" you tortoise this way! Just open the door each morning of the side you want your tortoise to graze: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/double-door-night-box.129054/
TuttleTime55
New Member
Thank you for all the helpful info! Yes during our "winter" months there are some low temperatures for a day or two. But mostly it's perfect weather for reptiles.
