Shell deformity??? Or any other issue? help!

[BoredPotato]

I got my testudo hermanni few months ago and idk why but only until now I realized he got some sort of cracks on his shell. A bit flaky?

I thought maybe due not enough calcium so I added more to his diet but a week later nothing really changed.

I mostly feed his endive, rucola, watercress and bok choy. Recently also some dandelions cuz they grow everywhere.

He does eat normal and is quite active... anyone experienced enough to identify the problem?

 

[BoredPotato]

I got my testudo hermanni few months ago and idk why but only until now I realized he got some sort of cracks on his shell. A bit flaky?

I thought maybe due not enough calcium so I added more to his diet but a week later nothing really changed.

I mostly feed his endive, rucola, watercress and bok choy. Recently also some dandelions cuz they grow everywhere.

He does eat normal and is quite active... anyone experienced enough to identify the problem?

With the title I forgot to add if it's a process to shell deformity or any other health issues

 

[TaylorTortoise]

I got my testudo hermanni few months ago and idk why but only until now I realized he got some sort of cracks on his shell. A bit flaky?

I thought maybe due not enough calcium so I added more to his diet but a week later nothing really changed.

I mostly feed his endive, rucola, watercress and bok choy. Recently also some dandelions cuz they grow everywhere.

He does eat normal and is quite active... anyone experienced enough to identify the problem?

Where did you get him/her?

 

[BoredPotato]

Where did you get him/her?

From a breeder and pretty sure it didn't have the cracks/flaky shell. I don't really know what I did wrong.

 

[TaylorTortoise]

From a breeder and pretty sure it didn't have the cracks/flaky shell. I don't really know what I did wrong.

Which breeder?

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Which breeder?

Is that an eastern?

 

[BoredPotato]

Which breeder?

Well, a breeder in my country (Netherlands) and im not sure but the it's a Testudo Hermanni Boetgerri, so I think an eastern yes

 

[TaylorTortoise]

From a breeder and pretty sure it didn't have the cracks/flaky shell. I don't really know what I did wrong.

That's cool. Do you personally know the breeder or do they have a website?

 

[BoredPotato]

That's cool. Do you personally know the breeder or do they have a website?

No, I think it's his hobby. He don't have a website.

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Well, a breeder in my country (Netherlands) and im not sure but the it's a Testudo Hermanni Boetgerri, so I think an eastern yes

I looked that name up, it's definitely a part of the western hermanns groups

 

[BoredPotato]

I looked that name up, it's definitely a part of the western hermanns groups

I also looked it up but it's said its part of the eastern group tho? But anyway, do you know the problem or what it is?

 

[TeamZissou]

Here's a guide that helps you figure out what subspecies you have. If it's T.h. boettgeri, then it's an eastern.

Which Baby Tortoise Do I Have? - A Pictorial Guide

Which Baby Tortoise Do I have? -A Pictorial Guide to Differentiating Baby Mediterranean Tortoises By Chris Leone “HermanniChris” www.gardenstatetortoise.com www.hermannihaven.com BabyTortoisesHatching by GardenStateTortoise, on Flickr We’ve come a considerable distance in understanding...

tortoiseforum.org

As for the shell issue, are you using a mercury vapor bulb (MVB)? If so, they run very hot and can cause excessive drying out of the shell. They are not useful for tortoises. Look for a regular incandescent flood bulb.

Other than that, be sure to keep the humidity up in the enclosure to keep the tortoise and shell hydrated. Here's the best info on how to get your tort set up:

The Best Way To Raise Any Temperate Species Of Tortoise

I chose the title of this care sheet very carefully. Are there other ways to raise babies and care for adults? 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. What is...

tortoiseforum.org

 

[Sarah2020]

Suggest you read the care sheet just posted above to check heat, light, humidity, food, substrate, hydration. Smooth shell growth us what your aiming for. Food should be fresh along with a walk in shallow dish of water and good you add calcium. You only see the return on investment of your care on the new shell growth. I use coconut oil sparingly on the shell to moisturise so you could try that to see if that helps.

 

[TammyJ]

Looks like he could do with a daily schedule of long warm soaks. And make sure the humidity is the recommended one for this species.