Re: African spurred tortoise problem!

Posted by Kathy on September 14, 2000 at 11:13:31:

In Reply to: African spurred tortoise problem! posted by Shane Spratt on September 14, 2000 at 02:06:16:

Shane,
Your tort is old enough that his shell shouldn't flex. If you hold your tort in both hands, with your thumbs on the top shell (carapace), and press your thumbs gently down into the shell, does it flex then? Even slightly? Sulcatas shouldn't have a soft shell at all by 1-1/2 years. Without knowing how you feed and keep the tort, I'd have to guess that calcium deficiency along with lack of sunlight (UVB) is the main cause for a soft shell. There are many other conditions that can cause problems. I'd recommend you get your tort to a herp vet, as well as making sure you supplement your tort's food with calcium (phosphorus isn't necessary as a supplement). Also, give your tort a cuttlebone broken into smaller pieces -- you may try to soak it in water first so that it softens a bit, torts tend to nibble it more readily if it's soaked first.
Please post again with more questions if you've got them.
Kathy
Arizona

• Sulcata care sheet

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• providing cuttlebone. EJ 09/14/00 (0)

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: Shane, : Your tort is old enough that his shell shouldn't flex. If you hold your tort in both hands, with your thumbs on the top shell (carapace), and press your thumbs gently down into the shell, does it flex then? Even slightly? Sulcatas shouldn't have a soft shell at all by 1-1/2 years. Without knowing how you feed and keep the tort, I'd have to guess that calcium deficiency along with lack of sunlight (UVB) is the main cause for a soft shell. There are many other conditions that can cause problems. I'd recommend you get your tort to a herp vet, as well as making sure you supplement your tort's food with calcium (phosphorus isn't necessary as a supplement). Also, give your tort a cuttlebone broken into smaller pieces -- you may try to soak it in water first so that it softens a bit, torts tend to nibble it more readily if it's soaked first. : Please post again with more questions if you've got them. : Kathy : Arizona

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