Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys, I've have a little speedster who is almost 9 months old, and since the beginning I have been worried about whether or not I will find the perfect feeding pattern for her because she is my first tortoise. I have strictly been a lizard guy up until now, and I'm getting a bit worried because her shell is not as perfectly round as it used to be. I understand that each section of the shell becomes more defined with age, but I am afraid of pyramiding.

I was hoping that her shell would be smoother like a turtle or something. I have seen adults with pretty smooth shells and some with a pretty bad case of pyramiding. Here are some photos to give you a better idea.

Bad:
http://amny.image2.trb.com/amnynews/media/photo/2003-03/6845236.jpg

Good:
http://www.leopardtortoise.com/images/geochelone sulcata.jpg

In the beginning she was a bit picky, and would only eat "Mazuri" or anything that I could get to smell like it by rubbing. I have heard that Mazuri should only be a treat, but I have also heard that it should be the base of the diet.

If you guys could give me ideas on the "perfect" feeding schedule, that would be great. Also, let me know what you would say the differences between an adult and baby's diet should be for their healthiest development.

Thanks!

First of all, let me start off by saying I am by no means an expert; however, I have kept my Sulcata alive for the last 10 months and he is growing amazingly well (although yesterday he did eat a large string...).

Here is the feeding schedule I use:

M,W & F- Organic Spring Mix (you know, the multi-colored, dark lettuces) mixed with veggies. Right now we are doing zuccini, red and orange bell peppers and wheat grass.

T,Th- A large spoonful of pumpkin puree mixed with Calcium

Sun- Organic Spring Mix only

Every sunning day that I can, his butt is outside eating grass and weeds. And half of his enclosure contains Timothy Hay and usually Orchard Grass. So on these items I allow him to free-range.

I have been using this schedule pretty relegiously for the last 2 months and I have seen amazing developement.

As far as pyramiding, it seems to be the consistence that humidity determines whether or not they develope the raised scutes.

For humidity, I make sure that there is water available in T.U.T.'s enclosure and I try to soak him daily. Also, the other half of his enclosure is peat moss, which maintains mositure, but is not wet to the touch (we do not want shell rot here).

I also believe that proper lighting, sunning and diet can contribute to pyramiding, but that might just be me.
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