How Can You Tell The Health Of A Tortoise By Its Shell?

The shell of the tortoise is composed of living tissue and as such one can gauge the overall health of the tortoise by checking its shell. The upper part of the shell is known as the carapace covered by the scutes or scales which are in fact a part of the epidermis while the underside of the shell is known as plastron.

Generally a shell which looks lustrous and firm to the touch indicates a tortoise in good health. A shell that appears dull and is soft to the touch might be an indicator of an underlying problem. Hatchlings are observed by checking their shell regularly to determine whether they are growing properly.

Also one should watch out for any cuts or scratches on the shell which might tell if the tortoise is injured by way of a dog or some other animal. Another sign to watch out for is the growth of the shell in an asymmetrical pattern characterized by lumps being formed on one side which could be an indicator of bone disease.

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