Shell growth-- Pictures!

[APBT_Fanatic]

Here are pictures of Sherman's shell growth from April to today. He is my first Sulcata hatchling (now I have two!), and his shell looks pretty good/consistent (pyramiding wise) to me, but am open to comments, suggestions, opinions, etc!

Thanks!

4/21/10-

5/22/10-

6/10/10-

 

[Missy]

Looks good, I would limit the strawberries tho

 

[APBT_Fanatic]

Thanks, those were only a treat. He has only had them twice in his lifetime so far.

 

[DeanS]

Gorgeous!

 

[Kayti]

Great growth! Is Sherman 100% Sulcata? His/her color is really unique.

 

[South FL Katie]

Sherman haha what a cute name. He is beautiful!

 

[Tom]

The new growth looks pretty smooth to me. Please tell us what you are doing regarding moisture and humidity.

Great pics. I love being able to compare them all in one page like this.

 

[Scooter]

Looks great!

 

[APBT_Fanatic]

I am not doing too much extra to monitor the humidity. He's on Eco Earth that is kept moist. Heating lamp is on one side of the enclosure, and he gets outside almost every day.

He has been in this set-up since just shortly after I joined this site in March of this year, and took everbody's suggestions to improve his enclosure.

Enclosure without lids:

Enclosure with screen lids (foil is covering the screens):

Pillow over the far side of enclosure, and covering the rest of the enclosure. (Main purpose for this was protection from the cats.):

 

[Stephanie Logan]

Looks like Sherman has a nice healthy appetite! I love the way tortoises literally lay on their food and wade in it while eating; it's a mess but very entertaining to watch.

Are you sure you don't want to add a consistent source of humidity, like the sponge or the sphagnum moss bags, to ensure optimal shell growth for Sherman going forward?

 

[APBT_Fanatic]

Looks like Sherman has a nice healthy appetite! I love the way tortoises literally lay on their food and wade in it while eating; it's a mess but very entertaining to watch.

Are you sure you don't want to add a consistent source of humidity, like the sponge or the sphagnum moss bags, to ensure optimal shell growth for Sherman going forward?

He has some humidity, yes. His enclosure, the moist Eco Earth, and the heating all help with that.

 

[Annieski]

I think you and Shermann should get an A++ in the Book of Good Health. He looks grrrrrreat!

 

[APBT_Fanatic]

I am going to get a thermometer/humidity gauge for Sherman's enclosure and for Cricket's enclosure and will post the results!

I know Cricket's enclosure has more humidity, but at the same time, if Sherman is doing so well with the set-up he has now, I don't want to change anything in his.

 

[Tom]

Its always a judgement call. I'm very curious to know what it is now in both enclosures.

 

[APBT_Fanatic]

Its always a judgement call. I'm very curious to know what it is now in both enclosures.

Now I can't wait to go buy them and find out!

Cricket is already pyramiding a little though, so I hope to stop that in time. Like I said, his enclosure is more humid than Sherman's, and he has a humid hide that seems very humid.-- It's just one of those small plastic igloos made for rodents, but that with the moist Eco-Earth and the heat lamp makes it work nicely as a humid hide.

Sherman doesn't have a humid hide (I know, shame on me!), but he seems to be doing fine without one.... my CDT hatchlings too, but of course I know they are easier.-- Their shells are almost perfect!

I am just afraid if I change things too much in Sherman's, he won't continue to progress nicely. Additionally, Sherman goes outside whenever possible too (almost everday), so it's not like he's in his indoor enclosure 24/7 either. His progress is a mixture of BOTH his indoor and outdoor enclosure conditions.

 

[APBT_Fanatic]

It's been a while since I have posted about Sherman, but I was just wondering what everybody thought in regards to his current shell growth?

I can get better pictures if needed... he's kind of dirty in these!

 

[Annieski]

Sherman is quite the "handsome" dude!

 

[Tom]

Its staying consistent and looking pretty good. He's grown a lot and he looks healthy.

 

[APBT_Fanatic]

Thank you!

 

[DonaTello's-Mom]

Wow has he grown! I think he looks just dandy! I love seeing the 'new' growth and his is looking real good!