why are my 2 cherry-head red-foot tortoises really different?

Question

alright so i bought 2 cherry heads for 100 dollars (great deal because they couldnt sell them at petco) anyways i have a 150 gallon tank and what not.

The different is that one of them has a bumpy shell and is really shy and if left alone wont move more than a yard (i think this is the female). The other one has a smoother shell and wont stop moving and when it finaly does stop moving it starts digging (i think this ones the male)

anyways is there a reason why they have different shells is it nutrition? lighting? is there something i should do or let nature take its course.

I release them both in my backyard during the day for about 2 hours and they seem to be happy eating the dandilions and 3 leaf clovers. so yea.

Answer 1

I think humid being the culprit in pyrmading is almost a given now. I would be careful if you are just "releasing" them in your back yard as if they escape they will not survive past the summer as they are not cool/cold weather torts and do not hibernate. My guess is that the active one spends that time in the tank pacing and running over the shy one. This won't help her get over her shyness. How big are they? There is an excellent redfoot group on yahoo that I have been a member of for 5 years you should sign up!!

Answer 2

pink-foot Tortoise: Rainforest species that likes heat, humid situations with low mild. Hermann's Tortoise: Mediterranean species that likes heat, sunny situations with everyday humidity. Bearded Dragon: Australian desert species that likes warm, dry, sunny situations. An experienced keeper does not save any of those in an identical habitat- it particularly is considered a foul thought to mixture species from distinctive areas. If I had to place 2 mutually, i could positioned the tortoises mutually. The temp stages for the two tortoises are proper to an identical- eighty-88F, even if the Hermann's like a hotter warm spot and a cooler cool zone. If the habitat is large sufficient, it particularly is not a genuine concern. ascertain the pink-foot has a dismal humid hiding area to retreat to, and feed them one after the different as a results of fact the pink-foot normally eats a wetter, greater fruit-heavy eating ordinary than the drier, grass-based eating ordinary of the Hermann's.

Answer 3

The bumpy shell is called pyramiding and there are varying theories as to its cause. Earlier theories suggested that it was caused by excessive animal protein in the diet. Research has not really supported that theory and now sub-optimal humidity is the primary suspected cause. Redfoots are native to S. America and require fairly high humidity in captivity. Her reluctance to move could just be a personality difference or it could be related to her pyramiding as this likely affects other boney structures in her body.
You can't reverse pyramiding but if she is still growing the new growth should be smoother (given proper conditions).