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Re: Shell Pyramiding


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Posted by ULf Edqvist on January 26, 1999 at 04:11:40:

In Reply to: Re: Shell Pyramiding posted by Robb Alvey on January 26, 1999 at 03:07:42:


Ok,

Taken from the 'Turtle and Tortoise FAQ' at 'Care' section of the TT website:

***********************************************************************************
22) What is pyramiding?

[Andy Highfield] Excessive quantities of protein can seriously impair the calcium
metabolism, and in addition can lead to massively accelerated growth and early
sexual maturity. This is readily observed in many captive-bred hatchlings, where
2-year-old specimens raised on high protein diets frequently weigh four to five times
the weight which they could reasonably expect to attain in the wild, demonstrate
abnormally advanced sexual behavior and, almost invariably, deformed pyramid-like
scutes and grossly distorted carapaces. This latter effect is even seen in cases where
otherwise adequate levels of calcium and vitamin D3 have been provided.

In severe cases the carapace is weak and bulging and the horny shields or scutes are
raised and pyramid-like especially along the central vertebral line. Radiological
examination reveals gross distortions and separation of the underlying bone as well as
poor bone density.

The solution is not to provide excessive quantities of protein and to ensure that
mineral and vitamin levels are carefully balanced and are available in sufficient
quantities.
************************************************************************************

So it seems that the best way to avoid pyramiding is to try to mimic the natural diet of your tortoise to the greatest extent possible. This will, in the case of pardalis and sulcata, involve relying mainly on grass as a food source, and to make sure you are not overfeeding. In nature, sulcatas go without access to fresh food for months on end, so it is hardly suprising they develop diseases of excess when placed in a captive environment with close to unlimited access to food (which in itself is often far from ideally nutrition-wise) on a year round basis.

Hope this helps,

ULf



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