A 'shell' question please??

Madhouse · 10-09-2007, 04:28 PM

I've notice lately a slight growth of what I can only describe as clear shell growing. Seems to be growing quite evenly front and back. Is it just new bone growth and if so does it look okay?? Any thoughts on Mickey's shell at all please?? Am totally paranoid (call me Paranoid Polly - my family do

) about Mickey's growth rate and bumpy bones and pyramiding etc!

http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z...sortout010.jpg

http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z...=Mickey024.jpg

http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z...=Mickey010.jpg

Mickey's about 18 months old and has grown half a cm and put on about half an ounce in about 6/7 weeks - is that about right & healthy for him???

Don't know if Im a bit dim (may be best not to answer that one!!) but I cant find many pics of young spur thighed like him to compare to on here - Im probably getting all my 'proper' names confused!! We're going to revisit the sanctary that we got him from to see if they still have any of his brothers/sisters left so we can compare them sizewise but I've not been very altely so we've not been able to go.

Also he tends to look like he's gulping sometimes and bobs his head up and down!!!

Do they all do this or is he a little odd?? He seems totally happy, is pooing and peeing correctly (if you know what I mean

) eats, drinks and sleeps when he's supposed to and appears to know my voice - he tends to come to me when I call him, how clever is that!!

Sorry if I'm just being a worryguts & wasting anyones time - any comments to put my mind at ease would be gratefully received. Failing that I'm sure my hubby would be mroe than happy to gaffa tape my mouth shut!!!

Thanks in advance! Take care

helen1 · 10-09-2007, 04:49 PM

Looks OK to me-just new growth? Have you the weight in grammes?

EJ · 10-09-2007, 05:28 PM

The only time you should be concerned is when your tortoise is too light. You really don't need a scale for that.

That looks like a healthy tortoise.

What are your temperatures and do you provide a humid place the tortoise can settle into?

Madhouse · 10-09-2007, 05:35 PM

Helen - Thanks - Its 100g

EJ - Thanks - Yes temp all fine.

Thanks - take care

Madhouse · 11-09-2007, 10:17 AM

Does anyone else have any comments please???

Thanks

**egyptiandan64** · 11-09-2007, 12:12 PM

Your doing a great job Steph.

Mickey looks great. What's his Straight Carapace Length (SCL)?

Danny

Madhouse · 11-09-2007, 01:03 PM

Hi Danny - thanks for that - nice to know that someone experienced like you thinks Im doing things right!!

His length is 7.5cm - he's grown half a cm in about 6/7 weeks and put on half an ounce. Is that about normal??

Thanks again

xxxxx

10-09-2007, 04:28 PM	#1
Madhouse Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cornwall Posts: 1,020	A 'shell' question please?? I've notice lately a slight growth of what I can only describe as clear shell growing. Seems to be growing quite evenly front and back. Is it just new bone growth and if so does it look okay?? Any thoughts on Mickey's shell at all please?? Am totally paranoid (call me Paranoid Polly - my family do ) about Mickey's growth rate and bumpy bones and pyramiding etc! http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z...sortout010.jpg http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z...=Mickey024.jpg http://s194.photobucket.com/albums/z...=Mickey010.jpg Mickey's about 18 months old and has grown half a cm and put on about half an ounce in about 6/7 weeks - is that about right & healthy for him??? Don't know if Im a bit dim (may be best not to answer that one!!) but I cant find many pics of young spur thighed like him to compare to on here - Im probably getting all my 'proper' names confused!! We're going to revisit the sanctary that we got him from to see if they still have any of his brothers/sisters left so we can compare them sizewise but I've not been very altely so we've not been able to go. Also he tends to look like he's gulping sometimes and bobs his head up and down!!! Do they all do this or is he a little odd?? He seems totally happy, is pooing and peeing correctly (if you know what I mean ) eats, drinks and sleeps when he's supposed to and appears to know my voice - he tends to come to me when I call him, how clever is that!! Sorry if I'm just being a worryguts & wasting anyones time - any comments to put my mind at ease would be gratefully received. Failing that I'm sure my hubby would be mroe than happy to gaffa tape my mouth shut!!! Thanks in advance! Take care __________________ Steph - Wife to an ever patient hubby, Mum to four children, 2 dogs, cat, 3 newts, numerous fish, an eel, 3 dwarf hamsters, my 2 baby torts Mickey & Theo (Med. spur thighs) and Mr Grumpyboots Harries (Adult male Horsfield)

10-09-2007, 04:49 PM	#2
helen1 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NORTH WEST Posts: 1,977	Looks OK to me-just new growth? Have you the weight in grammes? __________________ I CARE FOR TORTS

10-09-2007, 05:28 PM	#3
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	The only time you should be concerned is when your tortoise is too light. You really don't need a scale for that. That looks like a healthy tortoise. What are your temperatures and do you provide a humid place the tortoise can settle into? __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

10-09-2007, 05:35 PM	#4
Madhouse Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cornwall Posts: 1,020	Helen - Thanks - Its 100g EJ - Thanks - Yes temp all fine. Thanks - take care __________________ Steph - Wife to an ever patient hubby, Mum to four children, 2 dogs, cat, 3 newts, numerous fish, an eel, 3 dwarf hamsters, my 2 baby torts Mickey & Theo (Med. spur thighs) and Mr Grumpyboots Harries (Adult male Horsfield)

11-09-2007, 10:17 AM	#5
Madhouse Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cornwall Posts: 1,020	Does anyone else have any comments please??? Thanks __________________ Steph - Wife to an ever patient hubby, Mum to four children, 2 dogs, cat, 3 newts, numerous fish, an eel, 3 dwarf hamsters, my 2 baby torts Mickey & Theo (Med. spur thighs) and Mr Grumpyboots Harries (Adult male Horsfield)

11-09-2007, 12:12 PM	#6
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Your doing a great job Steph. Mickey looks great. What's his Straight Carapace Length (SCL)? Danny __________________

11-09-2007, 01:03 PM	#7
Madhouse Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cornwall Posts: 1,020	Hi Danny - thanks for that - nice to know that someone experienced like you thinks Im doing things right!! His length is 7.5cm - he's grown half a cm in about 6/7 weeks and put on half an ounce. Is that about normal?? Thanks again xxxxx __________________ Steph - Wife to an ever patient hubby, Mum to four children, 2 dogs, cat, 3 newts, numerous fish, an eel, 3 dwarf hamsters, my 2 baby torts Mickey & Theo (Med. spur thighs) and Mr Grumpyboots Harries (Adult male Horsfield)

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