White Rings on Shell

[Zack and Kora]

So my russian tortoise has some white rings on its shell that appeared about a month ago and i've had her for about 6 months. Are they just growth rings and will darken or are they a problem?

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

thats just new growth. are you providing him with a UVB light and humidity?

 

[Zack and Kora]

thats just new growth. are you providing him with a UVB light and humidity?

I use an ExoTerra Reptile UVB 150 bulb about 16 inches above the substrate and the humidity is normally around 20-30%

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

I use an ExoTerra Reptile UVB 150 bulb about 16 inches above the substrate and the humidity is normally around 20-30%

is it a coil bulb?

 

[Zack and Kora]

is it a coil bulb?

I believe so

 

[Tom]

I would raise the humidity a bit, or at least offer a humid hide. That is new growth and if conditions are too dry as it comes in it can be a problem. People have been keeping tortoises far too dry for a long time. We are learning better ways to do things now.

Here are some tips:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

 

[russian/sulcata/tortoise]

I believe so

coil bulbs are know to damage tortoises eyes turn it off immediately.

 

[Zack and Kora]

coil bulbs are know to damage tortoises eyes turn it off immediately.

I'm sure they aren't that bad... I've been using them for like 6 months and my tortoise can see fine

 

[Zack and Kora]

I would raise the humidity a bit, or at least offer a humid hide. That is new growth and if conditions are too dry as it comes in it can be a problem. People have been keeping tortoises far too dry for a long time. We are learning better ways to do things now.

Here are some tips:
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/russian-tortoise-care-sheet.80698/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/thread...or-other-herbivorous-tortoise-species.107734/
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/beginner-mistakes.45180/

Thanks, Tom

 

[Yvonne G]

the coil-shaped bulbs don't come in 150 watt size.

 

[Zack and Kora]

the coil-shaped bulbs don't come in 150 watt size.

The box says "UVB 150" but its a 26 watt bulb.

 

[Yvonne G]

The coil-shaped bulbs are known to be harmful to BABY tortoises' eyes. Since you're not having a problem, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Zack and Kora]

The coil-shaped bulbs are known to be harmful to BABY tortoises' eyes. Since you're not having a problem, then I wouldn't worry about it.

Okay. Kora isn't a baby, but do you know of a way to tell how old a russian tortoise is?

 

[Yvonne G]

There is no way to tell except if you know the hatch date. It's not like the growth rings on trees. If you bought him at a pet store, he's probably around 10 or so years.

 

[Yvonne G]

Are you Zack? And did you draw the picture in your avatar? Very nice.

 

[Zack and Kora]

Are you Zack? And did you draw the picture in your avatar? Very nice.

Yeah I bought her at petsmart. I am Zack and yes I drew my avatar

 

[leigti]

I am not familiar with the bulb. are you putting it as far away from the tortoise as the instructions say? It sounds a little far away to me. I used a coil bulb at first also but made it made me nervous. I didn't want to take the chance so I change to a mercury vapor bulb. Check out the threads that Tom today listed and it will give you all the information you need. Welcome to the forum.

 

[Zack and Kora]

I am not familiar with the bulb. are you putting it as far away from the tortoise as the instructions say? It sounds a little far away to me. I used a coil bulb at first also but made it made me nervous. I didn't want to take the chance so I change to a mercury vapor bulb. Check out the threads that Tom today listed and it will give you all the information you need. Welcome to the forum.

I purposely got a bulb that would be able to shine down into the tank

 

[Tom]

I'm sure they aren't that bad... I've been using them for like 6 months and my tortoise can see fine

All of them are not bad. Only some of them are. You know how you tell if they are bad? Put one over your tortoise and see if it literally burns its eyes. If after 6 months your tortoise is fine then that bulb you have at that distance is fine, but there is not way to know if the next one will be fine or harmful.

Another issue with these bulbs is that they are really not all that effective anyway. There are options that are far more effective and safer.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Hello, Zack and Kora and welcome to the forum.