Pyramiding

[L Ward]

Can anyone tell me what causes pyramiding. I have two Hermanns both the same age and kept in identical conditions but I have noticed one has developed very slight pyramiding. Hopefully I can stop this developing anymore.

[FLINTUS]

Humidity
Hydration
Temps
Diet-growth rate, protein, etc.
Those are the four fundamental areas of normal pyramiding, but other factors such as UV exposure also make a difference. Can you describe the overall care?

[Catwoman63]

i think some have a tendency to be a bit lumpy, especially if they are kept in the exactly the same conditions x

[Suze65]

If it's only very slight at this stage it will grow out as your tort grows . As said above its a combination of factors, hydration being a key factor. Med tortoises don't need high humidity, but they do need some. Keep a humid hide at about 55/70% . If you think your tort is slightly bumpy then you may need to tweak something slightly, so as said above what is your combination of tort keeping like. And also as said above, some are probably more prone to pyramiding than others. Some torts will grow in the wild with slightly bumpy shells.

[FLINTUS]

What is also worth noting is that within one enclosure, there will be many different environments-sometimes the tortoise doesn't choose the right one.

[Suze65]

Originally Posted by FLINTUS

What is also worth noting is that within one enclosure, there will be many different environments-sometimes the tortoise doesn't choose the right one.

Good point, which brings me back to my point about tweaking things depending on what you observe. See where your tort favours sleeping ( often the warm end) and put the hide there, and they will probably use it.

[L Ward]

Thanks for the advice, I have 7 tortoises in an outside run (that takes up most of the garden) that is basically sand, peat lots of shrubs to hide under, 1 cold frame for egg laying, 1 converted rabbit hutch with heating and 1 very large dog kennel that has heating and lighting. Tortoises are fed only on weeds and what they can find in the garden, Nutrobal added occassionally, bathed every 3 days (not that they seem to enjoy it). They tend to put themselves to bed at the end of everyday and choose where they want to sleep. I try to let them have as little interuptioon from me as possible as they would in the wild. I wondered whether it may have something to do with this glorious summer when they are eating more than usual. My original tortoises which are over 20 years old now have lumpy shells but that was due to my not knowing what I was doing all those years ago.

[Suze65]

All sounds wonderfully perfect to me. The only thing I wouldn't have is sand and peat , I would just ordinary top soil.

[Catwoman63]

Actually Suze, my horsfields like the sandy area outside the enclosures to bask on, i was thinking of providing a small sandy area in each enclosure, but i agree the majority of the enslosure is soil, rocks, slate, stones x

[Suze65]

Originally Posted by Catwoman63

Actually Suze, my horsfields like the sandy area outside the enclosures to bask on, i was thinking of providing a small sandy area in each enclosure, but i agree the majority of the enslosure is soil, rocks, slate, stones x

Then that's fine, what ever works,if they like it for a basking spot, it probably gets nice and warm. It's all about observing and adapting. I would just be a bit worried about it irritating their eyes.