Pyramiding discussion continued

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Posted by Richard Fife on May 21, 2000 at 20:31:15:

My remarks have stimulated some very interesting discussions. I hope that no one has taken personal offense at my opinion concerning the cause of pyramiding. Be assured that I don�t recommend feeding poor diets or diets too high in protein to grazing tortoises. It is however very important to remember that protein provides amino acids to the body, which are absorbed and become new body proteins. It is these proteins that are responsible for shell growth whether it is normal shell growth or irregular growth. I believe that shell growth and the overall health of a tortoise is a function of many aspects including diet and the environment. We need to consider protein, calcium/phosphorus ratios, fiber, water intake, temperature, humidity, UV, as well as many other things.

Tortoise breeders in the USA have a major problem to confront. It is illegal to sell or distribute their captive-bred offspring until they are 4-inches. In order to distribute captive-bred tortoises to the hobbyist at a cost that can compete with wild caught tortoises they must grow fast. We either do this or forget about captive breeding and just continue taking from the wild! I have continued to promote new legislation that would allow the sale of captive-bred tortoises but it is difficult to get the necessary support.

In the process of trying to produce an affordable captive hatched 4-inch tortoise I made an interesting discovery. I found that the common pyramiding, associated with increased growth stimulated by increased protein could be controlled by manipulating environmental conditions. I also found that if these environmental conditions were correct that the increased protein (within limits) would not result in heath problems.

I appreciate the work and time that Andy and many others have done in trying to resolve the problems of raising captive-bred tortoises. Their work has been extremely valuable! I believe we need to keep digging to discover the complete picture. All too often we build a hypothesis around a preconceived opinion and don�t continue to search. I believe this issue warrants continued research in areas we haven�t looked at before.

Follow Ups:

Re: Pyramiding discussion continued Terry 05/21/00 (2)
- Re: Pyramiding discussion continued Richard Fife 05/22/00 (1)
  - Re: Pyramiding discussion continued A. C. Highfield 05/22/00 (0)

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: My remarks have stimulated some very interesting discussions. I hope that no one has taken personal offense at my opinion concerning the cause of pyramiding. Be assured that I don�t recommend feeding poor diets or diets too high in protein to grazing tortoises. It is however very important to remember that protein provides amino acids to the body, which are absorbed and become new body proteins. It is these proteins that are responsible for shell growth whether it is normal shell growth or irregular growth. I believe that shell growth and the overall health of a tortoise is a function of many aspects including diet and the environment. We need to consider protein, calcium/phosphorus ratios, fiber, water intake, temperature, humidity, UV, as well as many other things. : Tortoise breeders in the USA have a major problem to confront. It is illegal to sell or distribute their captive-bred offspring until they are 4-inches. In order to distribute captive-bred tortoises to the hobbyist at a cost that can compete with wild caught tortoises they must grow fast. We either do this or forget about captive breeding and just continue taking from the wild! I have continued to promote new legislation that would allow the sale of captive-bred tortoises but it is difficult to get the necessary support. : In the process of trying to produce an affordable captive hatched 4-inch tortoise I made an interesting discovery. I found that the common pyramiding, associated with increased growth stimulated by increased protein could be controlled by manipulating environmental conditions. I also found that if these environmental conditions were correct that the increased protein (within limits) would not result in heath problems. : I appreciate the work and time that Andy and many others have done in trying to resolve the problems of raising captive-bred tortoises. Their work has been extremely valuable! I believe we need to keep digging to discover the complete picture. All too often we build a hypothesis around a preconceived opinion and don�t continue to search. I believe this issue warrants continued research in areas we haven�t looked at before.

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