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How to prevent further pyramiding
Posted: 23/09/2014 by tyrannosaurusbr

Hi guys,


New here! I recently (a few months ago) rehomed a Hermann's tortoise from a lady in my city. I noticed that he had VERY mild pyramiding, for a five year old tortoise, but I don't think that the woman kept him in very good conditions - his table was literally a house and a water bowl, with no substrate, and he slept in torn newspaper. Since bringing him home we have prided ourselves on giving him a good varied diet - dandelion, clover, chicory, lamb's lettuce - only giving him tomatoes maybe three times since we got him, when he wasn't eating. His enclosure is now much better, he gets a lot more attention and we got him outside as much as possible during the summer. However, I have noticed that the pyramiding has continued slighty  - is there anything we can do to stop it happening further? I am new to all of this and just want to make sure that we are looking after him as best as we can.

Thanks everyone,
Beth

Re: How to prevent further pyramiding
Posted: 25/09/2014 by Tom

Hello,


You are doing all the right things & growth will be smooth from now on.

During the winter you can plan & build a large outside enclosure, which needs to be at least 15sqm.

There are many other plants which you can grow - go to tlady.clara.net & thetortoisetable.org

A short hibe will suffice this year, say Feb. & March.

Regards,
Tom 


Re: How to prevent further pyramiding
Posted: 25/09/2014 by tyrannosaurusbr

Hi Tom,


Thanks so much for replying and for your advice. It will definitely be far too cold for him in the winter to be outside - it was often too cold for him in the summer .

With hibernation for just those two months - should I go through the usual process but just for the months coming up to Feb? Is it necessary to hibernate him for that time?

Thanks,
Beth

Re: How to prevent further pyramiding
Posted: 26/09/2014 by jessford85

Hi all

New to the forum! 

I have a Hermann's, he's 2 in November.  He lives in a tortoise table with substrate, lamps, hiding places, enclosure with newspaper, water bowl etc etc. 

We feed him spring greens mainly as recommended  by the place we got him from.  On warms days his outside (in the summer) so eats clover and weeds, but his diet is mainly spring greens.

He's developed a lump on the underside of his tail, it's made his tail quite fat, but he seems totally fine otherwise.  Eating, going to the toilet, active - completely himself! 

His shell isn't TOTALLY smooth - should it be?  It's ever so slightly ridged.

We are really worried about the lump.  Had him checked by a local vet and they said it's not an abscess. 

Can someone help please? 

Thanks all!

Jess

 

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