Hey guys, my little guy is eating, drinking, sleeping, walking.. Everything is good, but over the last few days he seems to developed a few small white scales or spots below his beak on his chin, I have a close-up picture and I'm pretty sure its nothing to worry about, but thought I would ask around just encase.

I was just informed on a different tortoise forum that they are new scales

Thank you

it oki what type is it and is it a he or she lol ??

not sure on the sex, but he's called frank and he's a horsefield

awwwww how cute

Nice clear, close up...

If you look close at the old brown scales you will see that it is comprised of layers. Normally these shed as it burrows through the underbrush. In captivity their is usually no underbrush so the layers build over time and become quite thick. Sometimes this can lead to a problem because the layer gets to thick and food gets caught between and under the scales. It's a good idea to take an old tooth brush and brush the scales under running water every so off to help in the shedding process.

When the scales get to thick they sometimes fall off suddenly revealing the clean new scale underneath as you seen in the white scales.

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Ed @ not allowed to post a link
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

Thats pretty cool! Thank you!


Also is 14 hours UVB and heat too much ?

The heat is the important factor. The UVB is only necessary if you are not providing supplements. Most keepers in the UK seem to use supplements so the UVB lamp is overkill.

14 hours is fine for a Russian... not too hot though... 75 to 85F or so as a range.

__________________
Ed @ not allowed to post a link
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care