Pyramiding?

[Reptilelove]

Recently I have seen loads of pictures of poor tortoises with their shells pyramiding, I just wanted to see it anyone could assess my torts just to check that they're not pyramiding? All advice is welcomed, thank you

 

[lismar79]

They look good to me....

 

[Jabuticaba]

They loom awesome! From what I understand, pyramiding usually occurs in new hatchlings and juveniles under 1 yr old. Yours look grown, so unless they develop some kind of disorder, or undergo some extreme change in their environment, or drastic dietary change, which can cause pyramiding, their shells will remain healthy.


May, Aussies, & THBs
IG: @AUSSOMEAUSSIES

 

[Tom]

They loom awesome! From what I understand, pyramiding usually occurs in new hatchlings and juveniles under 1 yr old.

You understand incorrectly. Pyramiding can happen anytime there is growth in conditions that are too dry.

 

[Tom]

Recently I have seen loads of pictures of poor tortoises with their shells pyramiding, I just wanted to see it anyone could assess my torts just to check that they're not pyramiding? All advice is welcomed, thank you

Your tortoises look fine. If there is any pyramiding it is minor and inconsequential. To really assess it we need profile pics from the side.

 

[Reptilelove]

This is a side profile of Hermie, he's the one I'm mostly concerned about. Thank you for all the advice so far though!

 

[johnsonnboswell]

I see some pyramiding in the last photo.

 

[Reptilelove]

I see some pyramiding in the last photo.

I know any advice on how this may of happened and what I can do to fix it?

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Humidity. How are you keeping them? Improvements always pay off.

 

[Reptilelove]

Well there heat space is at 35 and there cooler area is at 20, I'm not sure about the humidity?

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Substrate? UVB?

 

[Reptilelove]

Substrate? UVB?

Substrate at the mo is repti sand and its a UV light bulb, I thought humidity was to do with moisture?

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Yes, there needs to be moisture in the substrate. Sand isn't good for many reasons. Use coconut coir instead.

 

[Reptilelove]

Yes, there needs to be moisture in the substrate. Sand isn't good for many reasons. Use coconut coir instead.

Well when I find out what this coconut stuff I keep hearing about, I will

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Ecco earth, bed-a-beast, orchid growing medium.

 

[Reptilelove]

Ecco earth, bed-a-beast, orchid growing medium.

This the stuff? And is it safe if its accidentally eaten? As in it won't block them up

 

[SunnySideUp]

That looks good to me. Coco coir is much safer than sand if it is accidentally consumed.

 

[johnsonnboswell]

Yep, that's the stuff.

 

[Reptilelove]

Thanks for all the advice

 

[Tom]

This the stuff? And is it safe if its accidentally eaten? As in it won't block them up

That is one option and no it won't block them up, but sand will.

Your tortoise has mild pyramiding from its overly dry environment. Adding some moderate humidity, a humid hide, and frequent shell spraying can help future growth come in smoother.

Are they living as a pair? That isn't doing them any good either.