Re: leopard pyramiding

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Posted by Coralee on April 17, 2000 at 10:44:51:

In Reply to: leopard pyramiding posted by Sammy on April 17, 2000 at 02:50:32:

Wild-caught leopards often have conical central scutes.. some degree of this "pyramiding" probably is genetic in leopards. I've also seen hatchlings of the same clutch show considerable variation in height of the central scutes as they grew, even though all were fed on the same correct low-protein diet.

If the marginals also were conical I'd be inclined to worry.. usually the sides of a leopard tort are pretty smooth, even if the centrals are conical.

A tort that's pyramided through incorrect diet usually has problems walking, too.. they often can't pick their shell up off the ground, but tend to drag the hind part. This I believe is due to curvature of the spine caused by the same dietary faults that cause the pyramiding.

But if it's just the central scutes that are "tall", and the tortoise's sides are otherwise smooth, and if it walks correctly with the shell held high off the ground, I wouldn't worry that this is "pyramiding".

Regards.. Coralee

: To whom it may Concern,
: Hello from Canada.
: I am sending this message because I am in dire need of tortoise advice. I
: acquired a pair of leopard tortoises about 2 years ago and at that time they
: both showed signs of "pyramiding" or raised scutes on the carapace. After
: doing some research on the web and in text, I soon realized that this was
: not normal. I learned that this malformation could have been due to being
: fed proteinaceous matter when they were hatchlings.
: I was under the impression that this problem could be corrected with better
: feeding habits on my part as well as proper vitamin supplementation and UV
: exposure. At this time, two years later, the problem is still present.
: I see pictures of these noble beasts on the web and their domes are smooth
: and magnificent. Not that mine are not but I'm pretty sure there's something
: wrong.
: Do you have any advice that could help me with this dilemma, whether it be
: different feeding regime, more/different supplements, or even another
: contact who could assist me in my query.
: Sincerely,

:
: Bob Sheldon - Calgary,Alberta
: (reply to tortuga@freewwweb.com)

: p.s.. I realize this is not a lot of info on my behalf, so if any more is
: needed to make a prognosis please e-mail your questions. Thanks.

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Re: leopard pyramiding Coralee 04/17/00 (0)

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: Hi : Wild-caught leopards often have conical central scutes.. some degree of this "pyramiding" probably is genetic in leopards. I've also seen hatchlings of the same clutch show considerable variation in height of the central scutes as they grew, even though all were fed on the same correct low-protein diet. : If the marginals also were conical I'd be inclined to worry.. usually the sides of a leopard tort are pretty smooth, even if the centrals are conical. : A tort that's pyramided through incorrect diet usually has problems walking, too.. they often can't pick their shell up off the ground, but tend to drag the hind part. This I believe is due to curvature of the spine caused by the same dietary faults that cause the pyramiding. : But if it's just the central scutes that are "tall", and the tortoise's sides are otherwise smooth, and if it walks correctly with the shell held high off the ground, I wouldn't worry that this is "pyramiding". : Regards.. Coralee : : : To whom it may Concern, : : Hello from Canada. : : I am sending this message because I am in dire need of tortoise advice. I : : acquired a pair of leopard tortoises about 2 years ago and at that time they : : both showed signs of "pyramiding" or raised scutes on the carapace. After : : doing some research on the web and in text, I soon realized that this was : : not normal. I learned that this malformation could have been due to being : : fed proteinaceous matter when they were hatchlings. : : I was under the impression that this problem could be corrected with better : : feeding habits on my part as well as proper vitamin supplementation and UV : : exposure. At this time, two years later, the problem is still present. : : I see pictures of these noble beasts on the web and their domes are smooth : : and magnificent. Not that mine are not but I'm pretty sure there's something : : wrong. : : Do you have any advice that could help me with this dilemma, whether it be : : different feeding regime, more/different supplements, or even another : : contact who could assist me in my query. : : Sincerely, : : : : Bob Sheldon - Calgary,Alberta : : (reply to tortuga@freewwweb.com) : : p.s.. I realize this is not a lot of info on my behalf, so if any more is : : needed to make a prognosis please e-mail your questions. Thanks.

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