Re: Pyramiding in Russians...

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Posted by Terry on March 05, 2002 at 11:00:56:

In Reply to: Pyramiding in Russians... posted by Chase on March 05, 2002 at 10:23:08:

Chase,
most wild caught Russian tortoises are almost fully grown, or at least at the sub adult stage. Having come from the wild their growth/shell is normaly nice and smooth.

Pyramiding *mostly* occurs in captive bred hatchlings/babies/juveniles which are still growing/ have a lot of growing to do.

But pyramiding can start in any tortoise that isn't fully grown.
Look for scutes that are raised, instead of growing flat the scutes kind of grow up forming little bumbs.
Depending on how bad the pyramiding gets, the scutes can be raised slightly, but flat. Or grow upwards forming that pyramid shape.

Your tortoise had a good start, in the wild where it grew under natural conditions. So as long as you feed a good diet,allow the tortoise plenty of exercise, keep it at the correct temperatures and allow it time outdoors, there shouldn't be a problem.
Have you seen the photo of that poor Russian tortoise at Joes web site?
I don't know if it was wild caught (caught while young) or captive bred.

Badly deformed Russian tortoise...........

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Re: Chase and Thea........ Terry 03/05/02 (0)

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Comments:
: Chase, : most wild caught Russian tortoises are almost fully grown, or at least at the sub adult stage. Having come from the wild their growth/shell is normaly nice and smooth. : Pyramiding *mostly* occurs in captive bred hatchlings/babies/juveniles which are still growing/ have a lot of growing to do. : But pyramiding can start in any tortoise that isn't fully grown. : Look for scutes that are raised, instead of growing flat the scutes kind of grow up forming little bumbs. : Depending on how bad the pyramiding gets, the scutes can be raised slightly, but flat. Or grow upwards forming that pyramid shape. : Your tortoise had a good start, in the wild where it grew under natural conditions. So as long as you feed a good diet,allow the tortoise plenty of exercise, keep it at the correct temperatures and allow it time outdoors, there shouldn't be a problem. : Have you seen the photo of that poor Russian tortoise at Joes web site? : I don't know if it was wild caught (caught while young) or captive bred. : :

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