Shape of shells!!!

[x.froggy.x]

Is it normal for a horsfields shell to have som height and not be perfectly rounded and smooth???

[tortoise_dude]

Many Russians that you see in captivity have accelerated growth unfortunately. It's very easy to tell a tortoise which has been fed too quickly when compared to a wild Russian. Russians tend to 'pillow' more than pyramid like other tortoises do. In the wild they only eat for around 3 months of the year, so it's easy to see how they can grow so rapidly in captivity when they are eating for usually 9 months out of 12!


The above pic (found on google) is an ideal example of how smooth a russian should be, below (also found on google) is an example of a russian grown much too quickly;

If you look at the 'yellow' raised scutes, then that is all excellerated growth. The tortoise has obviously been over-fed or not hibernated to achieve this look.

Unfortunatley, all that you can do to 'reverse' this if your tortoise is looking a bit like that is to start feeding the right amount and hibernating them. They aren't likely to suddenly become smooth, but the effects of fast growth will be kept to a minimum.

Russians are burrowing species so should be outside for most of the year, and when inside should have a large deep enclosure where they can construct a burrow. When they are outside they will usually create their own little burrow, which would usually be south facing.

If you ask Nicely, Sue, (Wizzasmum) will post pics of her enclosure and explain a little more about them... her russians are lovely and smooth and their enclosure is excellent. Very natural, and her hard work was rewarded 2 years ago, when her russians started laying fertile eggs for her. The babies are gorgeous and smooth as the day they left the egg.

[x.froggy.x]

Thank you for the in depth explanation!!! Its really helped me!! But one more question.... if the shell isn't perfectly smooth it doesn't have a bad affect on them does it???

[tortoise_dude]

Originally Posted by x.froggy.x

Thank you for the in depth explanation!!! Its really helped me!! But one more question.... if the shell isn't perfectly smooth it doesn't have a bad affect on them does it???

It could do over a number of years, if it was over-fed and not hibernated for a good few years then it would definatley have a shortened lifespan, but I imagine that it wouldn't have such a prolonged effect if the problems where corrected a few years down the line. I would just be very careful about how much you are feeding your tortoise over this winter, and be sure to give it a good long hibernation next year. An outdoor enclosure is also vital to help having a smooth and healthy russian. They will build a burrow where Humidity is very high and this helps keeps growth smooth, too.

[Tamie]

Can you post pictures of your tortoise, then you will get some idea of how severe the problem is?

Tamie

[x.froggy.x]

Why do you have to hibernate tortoises??????? And how much should i feed them???

[Hannah_Honda]

I'd like to know about this!
Does my tort look okayy?!

[Tortoise Trust]

Originally Posted by tortoise_dude

They will build a burrow where Humidity is very high and this helps keeps growth smooth, too.

Burrow humidity is actually around 55-60%.

That is compared to <40% in the open air.

Andy Highfield
www.tortoisetrust.org

[mike2niner4]

My horsfield looks like that second picture in the second reply with the bad shell

HELP!!!

[x.froggy.x]

My tortoise looks like hannah_hondas!!!