Sarah-Jane White Pyramiding in tortoises is a severe issue and can cause pain, discomfort, and other health problems. Learn early signs of pyramiding and how you can stop it.
Shell pyramiding in tortoises is when their scutes, meaning the sections of their shell, rise abnormally during active growth periods.
In the first few years of a tortoise’s life, its shell and body grow. But if they live in an unhealthy environment, shell growth will be abnormal and warped, which can cause lifelong discomfort and problems. Pyramiding can also be called pyramidal growth syndrome (PGS).
Early Signs of Pyramiding
As mentioned, shell pyramiding occurs within the first one to two years of a tortoise’s life. Early signs of pyramiding in a tortoise are explained below.
1. Raised Scutes
The number one sign of tortoise pyramiding is a raised scute. When the individual sections of their shell become raised, it’s a sure sign of pyramiding. Sometimes, you may see conical scutes, but even a slight rise is a shell deformity and indicates they are not in a healthy environment. Keep in mind that the individual scutes may not all raise at the same time, pace, or at all, but even if only one scute is raised higher, it’s a sign of pyramiding.
2. Lumpy Shell Growth and Deformities
Sometimes, noticing the individual scutes rising is difficult, as it can be very subtle. A lump shell is another sign of pyramiding that can be easier to assess. Feeling small bumps or divots when you run your hand over your tortoise’s shell indicates pyramiding. You can also look at the tortoiseshell from a lower angle, making it easier to notice an uneven texture.
There may also be shell deformities along the edges or at the base. These will look like jagged or warped edges that differ from the rest of the shell border. Shell deformities sometimes occur before you see a raised scute.
3. Uneven or Stacked Plate Growth
You’ll notice rings around the scutes when you look at a tortoise’s shell. These rings are layers of the shell that grow on top of one another as your tortoise grows. The appearance of these rings should be mostly flat and uniform, similar to the rings inside an old oak tree. If any layers are not uniform and jut out, this is a sign of pyramiding.
We can compare these layers to dish plates. If you stack dish plates with the smallest on top and the largest on the bottom, the appearance will be more uniform. If you stack small, medium, and large plates randomly, it creates an uneven look.
4. Soft or Flexible Shell
The tortoise’s shell may become soft or flexible and flatten or twist in severe cases. Pyramiding is a bone disease, so if the shell becomes weak enough, it will be pliable and may become dented or warped from force. A soft shell also makes your tortoise more vulnerable to injuries or even death.
5. Visible Pitted Cracks or Fissures
The edges of the shell sections or scutes may begin to deepen and even crack in severe cases of pyramiding. The lines between scutes will become pitted or split, making the shell even more uneven and lumpy. These pitted cracks and fissures indicate the pyramiding is severe and progressing.
6. Abnormal Limbs and Head Appearance
If you notice your tortoise’s limbs and head looking weak or unusual, it could be a sign of pyramiding. The limbs may begin to twist, swell, or look deformed, with feet facing the wrong ways.
The tortoise’s head, specifically its jawline, may show signs of bruising. These symptoms occur because the shell is not growing properly to protect the tortoise’s body, causing pressure in certain places and hurting your tortoise.
Can Pyramiding Be Reversed?
Unfortunately, pyramiding cannot be reversed. Abnormal growth cannot be fixed, but the pyramiding can be stopped so the tortoiseshell can grow normally again. However, any pyramidal scutes, raised sections, cracks, or uneven plates will be part of the tortoise’s shell permanently.
How to Stop Pyramiding
Below are possible methods for stopping pyramiding.
Correcting Diet and Nutrition
Feeding your tortoise properly is essential. Poor or unbalanced diet is a common reason for tortoise shell pyramiding. Below are the most common problems in diet that lead to PSG:
- Lack of fibre
- Not enough Vitamin D
- Not enough calcium
- Too much phosphorus
- Too much dietary protein
- Too many omega-6 fatty acids
- Overfeeding
Foods that can lead to pyramiding include most fruits, spinach, kale, broccoli, mustard greens, and cauliflower, so avoid these.
Improving Enclosure Conditions
Following a poor diet, an uncomfortable enclosure is the next biggest cause of a tortoise’s shell pyramiding. Often, the enclosure is too small, and the tortoise cannot correctly move and exercise, which causes shell deformity.
The temperature and humidity play a role too. Tortoises must be kept reasonably warm, so cool temperatures can lead to improper shell growth. You must also keep humidity balanced; it can cause PSG if it’s too high or too low. The ideal humidity is 50-60% depending on your tortoise breed.
Monitoring Hydration
Along with proper humidity, your tortoise needs to stay well-hydrated. Keep their water bowl full, and create a wading pool for them so they avoid dehydration. Make sure all the water in their habitat is fresh and clean.
Veterinary Consultation
Unfortunately, pyramiding can occur even if your pet tortoise has a perfect environment. They may have thyroid or parathyroid gland diseases, or genetic factors may be involved. Consult a veterinarian if you’re not sure how to stop pyramiding.
Bottom Line
Pyramiding in tortoises can be stopped, but it cannot be reversed. For this reason, you must curate a suitable environment for your young tortoise so they don’t have to experience this painful problem. Pay special attention to their habitat’s humidity and temperature, and ensure their diet is well-rounded.
You can be proactive by consulting a vet about pyramiding in tortoises before you get your pet tortoise or when they are still young.
