Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi! I have baby sulcata that is about 10-12 months old. He is awsome and I love him, but I have noticed that his shell is begining to slope down flat at the rear/back, starting at the middle. It isn't really noticeable now, but I don't want it to get worse as he gets older! At first I thought it was a vitamin deficiantcey, but I make sure to give him powder vitamins on his veggies. I also make sure to keep his meals divers (kale, collards, and dandilions) I also give him prepared tortiose diet twice a week. Can anyone help me?

Make sure that the protein level is at a bare minimum. Check out the tortoise chow and see how much protein is in it. That tends to be the #1 cause for pyramiding in a tortoise. Also make sure that he has a heat lamp with a high UVB out put. This wont help much but try giving them a cherry tomato once every week and a half as a special treat, keep in mind though with sullcattas it should only be a treat not a whole meal.

you might want to do a little more research on the cause of pyramiding. I'll be willing to bet that you are going to see a good deal more evidence in the coming years that protein is not the cause of pyramiding.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

The reason for pyramiding is not diet and not excellerated growth. The reason is unsubstantial humidity. In the wild, sulcattas dig nice humid burrows in which to seek shelter. These burrows are humid (not wet) and allow the tortoise proper humidity levels. In captivit, keepers do not allow for this, and the lack of humidity dries out their shell and they beging to curl, forming pyramids.
Mike