Sulcata 3 months old pyramiding or not pyramiding ?

[Ruimendes]

Got it from a so called breeder, he told me humidity was bad so I was keeping it dry until I found this forum and have been soaking 1 time daily for 20 min and keeping high humidity in the tank. Should I up the soaking and spraying daily. Humidity is around 65% to 70%

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

welcome to the forum! its so sad how even tortoise breeders give out terrible outdated info! he does look like he has some pyramiding but with correct humidity and soaks him new grow with be nice and smooth!

 

[Ruimendes]

welcome to the forum! its so sad how even tortoise breeders give out terrible outdated info! he does look like he has some pyramiding but with correct humidity and soaks him new grow with be nice and smooth!

Thanks, I hope so I'll do anything I can to help this little guy, good to hear it's not too late

 

[tortdad]

It looks like there is the start of some very slight pyramiding but it's nothing that won't correct itself now that your on the right track.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

Thanks, I hope so I'll do anything I can to help this little guy, good to hear it's not too late

if you have any more questions just ask! also if you tell us about the care you are providing we have tell you if your doing anything wrong. whats the little guys name?

 

[Ruimendes]

if you have any more questions just ask! also if you tell us about the care you are providing we have tell you if your doing anything wrong. whats the little guys name?

I appreciate that, his name is Boris, Boris the Tortoise my wife wanted to name him. Right now he's in a 36 x 18 aquarium I have a 75 watt UVA lamp for basking (100 to 105 degrees) I have a 125 watt Mercury Vapor lamp ( 80 to 85 degrees. I have a wood burrow with a heat mat underneath the aquarium,temperature around 80 to 85 and humidity inside around 65 at night. Cypress mulch as a substrate and a water bowl. Feeding him Northeast grass mix and dandelion. I live in the northeast so I can't take him outside now because we're at below freezing temperatures so no direct sun for now. Can't wait for summer

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

he will very quickly out grow the enclosure he is in now, so prepare. is northeast grass mix dry hay grass?

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

provide him with lots of variety in his diet.

 

[Ruimendes]

he will very quickly out grow the enclosure he is in now, so prepare. is northeast grass mix dry hay grass?

What do you think the size of the next encloser should be? And how soon? The grass Is fresh I grow it inside my house for now in various pots.

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

What do you think the size of the next encloser should be? And how soon? The grass Is fresh I grow it inside my house for now in various pots.

his next enclosure should be big as possible, 4ft by 8ft is the standard enclosure size. each sulcata with grow at different rates just like people, your sulcata could get up to 8 inches in his first year of life.

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi, and welcome to the Forum!

 

[gingerbee]

WeLcome!!!

 

[Tom]

Pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. This guy has not grown much, so not much damage (as far as pyramiding is concerned...) has been done. Overly dry conditions can also cause a lack of growth and internal organ damage.

Please read these, and please do your best to educate the breeder.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-end-of-pyramiding.15137/

Sounds like you might need more heat, and I would not use a heat mat.

 

[Dizisdalife]

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Ruimendes]

Pyramiding is caused by growth in conditions that are too dry. This guy has not grown much, so not much damage (as far as pyramiding is concerned...) has been done. Overly dry conditions can also cause a lack of growth and internal organ damage.

Please read these, and please do your best to educate the breeder.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/hatchling-failure-syndrome.23493/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/how-to-raise-a-healthy-sulcata-or-leopard-version-2-0.79895/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/for-those-who-have-a-young-sulcata.76744/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/the-end-of-pyramiding.15137/

Sounds like you might need more heat, and I would not use a heat mat.

I have 75 watt UVA and 125 Mercury vapor. What do you recommend as far as more heat. Thanks for all the replies and welcoming.

 

[Ruimendes]

provide him with lots of variety in his diet.

I had another question, when I soak him warm water he uses his front legs to wipe his eyes. Is that normal?

 

[cmacusa3]

Yes

 

[dmmj]

Salutations.
he looks pretty good, seen lots worse. With how he is being kept currently, i forsee a smooth shell in the future.