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My Russian tortoise shell is peeling. Is it shell rot? What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Reptile | Tortoise | Male | 5 years and 10 months old

I have a Russian male tortoise, he is 5 years old, and his shell is starting to peel and crack. It looks like he has some sort of shell rot. What can I do to help treat it??? I have three tortoises in total and he's the only one with this going on.

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on March 9th, 2019

Check environmental parameters first. Make sure the relative humidity level is correct. For Russians, it can range between 40% and 60%. Provide adequate UVB lighting. If the bulb is more than 6 months old, replace it. Provide a balanced diet including vitamin and mineral supplementation to promote shell health. Survey the enclosure and remove any sharp rocks or furniture. These can cause small scratches which can lead to infection. You can gently clean the shell using a diluted Betadine or chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) solution once or twice daily. If there is no improvement in the shell condition after 5-7 days, consider an exam with your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating reptiles. You can review tortoise care at the links below. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Russian-Tortoise/ https://www.petcoach.co/amp/article/russian-tortoise-habitats-how-to-create

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