Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys,
I've had my Russian tort for 3 years now and I have noticed what looks like the skin (or whatever you wanna call it) under the nose "deteriorating" kind of. It's winter here and I have him in a 5' by 3' enclosure with a UVB bulb, UVA bulb, heat lamp and a night bulb. His basking area is around 88 degrees with shady areas in the enclosure as well. I dust his food with a calcium and D3 supplement as well as another tortoise supplement a few times a week. I've never seen this before and he's active and eating as he always has. Is there a skin treatment I should get? Thanks for your time,
Keri

nm

I'm pretty sure it isn't just regular skin shedding because he's shed before and it doesn't quite look the same. He's never had any problems with his skin, shell, parasites, worms, etc... Any other ideas?
Keri

Do you keep him oustside in the warmer months? All tortoises can develope skin problems if they never get any natural sunlight, not to mention more serious health problems. UVB bulbs are good, but they cannot duplicate natural sunlight.

Also, have you ever allowed him to hibernate? I'm not saying that is the cause of the problem, but in my experience Russians often begin to develope health problems if they are not allowed to hibernate for 2 or 3 years. Mine were always having health problems until I started hibernating them.

I don't keep him outside in the summer, but I take him out everyday for the afternoons. I have never hibernated him in the past 3 years I've had him because I'm not sure I'll do it right and I don't want to risk it.
Keri