Thought this would be of interest

http://www.tortoisetrustforum.org/viewt ... f=3&t=5298

yes you are right there Dave it is very interesting and does make alot of sense.as usual Andy has explained things well and his research as always was intensive.i will be reading it again when i am properly awake and cant wait for the extensive report he mentions.

Hi Terry,

It is an interesting subject. I've been reading of the importance of hydration (usually stated as humidity) in the correct development of young tortoises for a few years now. Edith Kruger, Jerry Fife, Wolfgang Wegehaupt; all touched on the importance from observation and experience but without an analysis of why.

Whats always interested me is how some of the smoothest captive raised tortoises I've seen were kept outdoors for as much of the year as possible. This seems to be further championing a more naturalistic approach to tortoise keeping.

One thing i have noticed is a turtle with a very poor diet or sub standard living conditions always develops a smooth shell,you never see pyramiding in aquatic turtles,is this down to hydration??