russian tortoise shell

Question
QUESTION: I have a russian tortoise that I bought from Petco (CA) about a year ago. Her shell is appearing to separate (slight part) in back above her tail at the 1st line (not the edge). She seems fine, ie: eating, active, etc., but this problem has me cause for concern. Is it normal and do you know what is happening, and/or will it continue to separate?

ANSWER: Hi Donna,

It's hard to tell from your description, but it may be new growth.  Here's a link to a page that shows a picture of new shell growth:  http://russiantortoise.org/shell_rot.htm.  If your tortoise is eating well, most like that's what it is.

The best website for Russian tortoise information is at www.russiantortoise.org, but here's some basic care information that may help you.  If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to post back and I'll do what I can to help.

Enclosure:  Tortoises don't do well in tanks.  They need good air circulation and the glass walls are a problem because they'll try to go through them.  The enclosure should be something large and open.  For a single tortoise, I'd recommend at least 3' x 4'.  You can build a tortoise table, use an old bookcase turned on its back, or something else, but give your tortoise as much room as you can manage.  If you have a yard, you can build an outside pen for the warmer months so your tortoise can get natural sunlight and fresh air.

Substrate--the substrate I use is a half and half mix of coir (bed-a-beast/ecoearth) and playsand, kept slightly damp at all times.  This holds humidity and allows the tortoise to burrow.  Using a substrate with some humidity duplicates the conditions in their burrows in the wild, where they spend a majority of their time.  The heat lamp is extremely drying, so the humidity is important.  You'll need to check the substrate every few days (stick your finger down into it) and add water as needed.  Make sure there's a shallow dish of water large enough for the tortoise to get into completely.  Don't use calcisand, reptile carpet, crushed walnut shells, or anything else a pet store tries to sell you.

Basking/UVB lights:  The only bulb I recommend is the T-Rex Active UVheat bulb, which has heat and UVB in one.  Excellent bulb and very durable.  You can get them at www.carolinapetsupply.com.  You need a basking temp of 90-95 degrees and a cooler area of 70-75 degrees so your tortoise can regulate its temperature.

Diet:  Leafy greens, no veggies, no fruit, no pellets.  Turnip, mustard, dandelion, collards, endive, raddichio, spring mix, etc. are all good, along with weeds such as sow thistle, chicory, chickweed, mallow, plantain, clover, hawkbit, and grape/mulberry leaves, hibiscus, nasturtium, viola, rose petals, abutilon, etc.  Put a cuttlebone in the enclosure so the tortoise can self-regulate calcium intake.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I forgot to mention that the other side of her shell is not separating (looks normal). Theres no bleeding, discharge or softness, but in the middle of the separation its white looking and some flakes. Does that make a difference in your answer? Have you ever heard of this happening to a russian tortoise, because we havent found anything online so it doesnt seem too common. Do you recommend we take her to see a vet? THANKYOU (:

ANSWER: Hi Donna,

Can you post a clear picture of it?  It's just really hard to say what it might be without seeing it.  New growth would be uniform around the shell between the marginal (outer) and costal (inner) scutes.  If she's eating and active as usual, I wouldn't worry too much yet.  If you can't get a picture posted here, post back *privately* and I'll give you my email so you can send it directly to me.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Here are some pictures. I'm not sure if they work. If they dont then you can give me your email and i'll send them to that.

http://s97.photobucket.com/albums/l232/coolgirl997/?action=view¤t=104_6014


http://s97.photobucket.com/albums/l232/coolgirl997/?action=view¤t=104_6015



http://s97.photobucket.com/albums/l232/coolgirl997/?action=view¤t=104_6019


http://s97.photobucket.com/albums/l232/coolgirl997/?action=view¤t=104_6016


THANKYOU :)  

Answer
Great pictures!  I see what you're saying now.  I don't think it's anything to worry about.  There may have been some shell damage when she was younger and it's more apparent now that she's growing.  Pet store tortoises are wild caught and some shell damage is pretty common.  Some of my adults are pretty banged up.  The main things to look for with shell problems are redness, oozing, and odor.  I don't see any indication of infection or shell rot, so I wouldn't worry unless other symptoms appear.  Hope that helped.  Please post again if you ever have any questions I can help with.