Fading colour on shell

[Pippa123]

Hi I've noticed that my two Germans and one Hirsfield shells are fading in colour .Is there anything I can do to prevent or get the colour back .one is min of 14 the other 2 are 7

[Jan W]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
I notice you haven't had a reply as yet.
I haven't a clue!
My two are nearly 10 and seem to be the same colour as when they arrived at 2 yrs old.

[sandy]

Originally Posted by Pippa123

Hi I've noticed that my two Germans and one Hirsfield shells are fading in colour .Is there anything I can do to prevent or get the colour back .one is min of 14 the other 2 are 7

Yes shell colour does fade with age.
They always look much brighter when wet.
Shell should only be cleaned (I have never cleaned the shell of any of my tortoises in over 36yrs) with water.

[CherryBrandy]

can be diet - not enough Vit D - some rescue tortoises are similar , near white if not enough sunlight and they fade and others are a lovely rich colour due to sunlight/vit D - or they can be older. Hermanns are a lighter colour anyway but Horsfields should be a gorgeous olive dark colour like caramel or dark chocolate. if they are not then they need extra natural light as UVA&B are synthetic. Too much probably wont do it as they can only absorb so much anyway, C- but can dry them out excessively and is not natural CB