Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read in a magazine (I think Reptile magazine)that most
pyradiming in tortoises happens in the first 2 years. They
also seem to be leaning toward low humidity that causes it
based on a hatchling study. Does this mean that there won't
be anymore pyramiding after A:2? Peabody does have some but
I am hoping it doesn't get worse. He is 3 years old now.

Thanks
Linda

Increasing the air humidity to around 50% for desert species and even higher for non desert species will reduce pyramiding.

Once pyramiding happens it can not be undone and becomes more difficult to stop. Young torts tend to require higher humidity where older torts tend to not require it as much. That is why they say the first two years are so important. On the other hand, I've seen a red rood that had perfect shell growth from living outdoors in TX for 3 years after being kept for the fourth year indoors without UV light. The new shell growth was not smooth and shows that pyramiding is not linked to age but to conditions when growth takes place.

There is a good deal of truth in what they say but pyramiding is a complex topic that involves several factors.

http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/whatcausespyramiding.htm
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/Pyramiding.htm

John