Reptile & Amphibian Forums

When does a hatchling sulcata tortoise's shell usually start becoming harder? Mines about, 3-4 months old and still has a relatively soft shell. Should I be worried?

As long as the tortoise is getting a good diet with enough calcium in it, and the opportunity to bask in the sun, that shell should harden up pretty well by the time it's a year old.

I wouldn't worry unless I saw signs of illness or signs that it's not getting any harder at all as time goes by.
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PHRatz

Below is an excerpt from the Columbia Science Review Volume 3 Issue 2. Fall 2006.

"My tortoises are also bathed daily as their water source. I also use this technique to keep the young tortoises’ shells soft and growing smoothly." - Ici Li
The Burmese Star Tortoise