sulcata tortoise?

Question

what causes the domed shell thing in sulcata tortoise?

Answer 1

If you're talking about pyramidding, it could be a combination of improper humidity and/or diet and/or proper lighting. Juveniles in particular need a humid hide to get into when they want, even though they are desert tortoises. In the wild, they dig scrapes and tunnels, and their breathing in the small, confined area creates a higher humidity than the outside air. Too much protein or too little calcium and/or too little Vitamin D (not enough natural sunlight or UVB light) are often tied to pyramidding, too.

Answer 2

Any of various terrestrial turtles, especially one of the family Testudinidae, characteristically having thick clublike hind limbs and a high, rounded carapace.

This is due to poor diets

Problems in Sulcatas diets are not feeding enough fiber, feeding to much protein, offering fruits and veggies in excess, and of course over feeding, which for hatchings to juveniles every other day seems to be fine, adults should be fed a couple times a week. If you want to avoid any diet related health problems do not offer cheese, cat or dog food, or any type of grain. If you follow the diet above you should never have to worry about your tortoise diet habits. If you do feed an improper diet the tortoise will develop pyramiding, which is a shell defect. Upper respiratory infection and kidney and liver problems can occur. Supplements are needed, but not more than once a week. I use Limestone, which most farm stores carry. It’s pure Calcium Carbonate. If you can’t find any limestone make sure to use a calcium supplement that has NO phosphorous in it! Do remember MORE CALCIUM IS NOT BETTER!

Answer 3

if you are straight out talking about the shape of the shell being like a dome, that is normal. Tortoises naturally have a high domed shelled, as opposed to turtles who have a flatter, stream lined shell for swimming.
If you are talking about pyramiding of the shell where the scutes grow improperly, so the shell does not have an overall even appearance, that can be caused by improper diet or environment.

Answer 4

They can eat apples without a problem. Because of the amount of sugar most fruits should only be feed to them once a week or so. Mine live prickly pear cactus (remove the thorns) especially the fruit of the cactus and also Christmas Cactus. Mine go nuts over the these two cacti and they are very easy to grow your self. I hope this helps, they are great tortoises!

Answer 5

Pyramiding is pretty much a humidity-related issue. We used to think that it was related to protein in the diet, but studies seem to be pointing big time at humidity for this and some other species.

Try http://www.sucata-station.org and http://www.tortoisetrust.org for more info.