Dry skin on Tortoises head.

[Anandita]

Hello, hope you're well?

Trucks head looks very dry, it's been like it for a little while.

Is this normal and is there anything I can do to help him? Other than that Truck seems fit and well.

Thanks,
Amanda

[Nina]

Truck looks great, and it’s not unusual for the scales to look like that. He is probably going to shed some scales soon, which is completely normal. Snakes shed their skin all in one piece, but tortoises shed theirs in bits and pieces as they grow larger. Just don’t be tempted to pull off any scales or bits of skin on his legs or neck — they can look tatty but will come off by themselves in due course.

Nina

[Anandita]

Thank you Nina, that's relief I was worried.

Should I bathe him more or just let it take its course?

X

[Nina]

How often are you bathing him now? I don't see any need to increase baths, unless you are bathing him less than twice a week, and you can gently drip some warm water over his head in the bath. When they lose skin on their neck and their back legs it can look very tatty, with bits hanging off, but just don't be tempted to help it along by pulling bits off.

He should be fine -- and it's nice to know that Truck is becoming a big boy and growing up!

Nina

[Anandita]

I bath him a couple of times a week sometimes more but he does like to sit in his water bowls as well and I've just left it alone apart from he likes a little head rub in the morning after ascending from his overnight lair, he sits at the side of his enclosure waiting, then trundles about once he's had enough fuss, it's so sweet his little character is showing through lol

[Nina]

Mine like to have the top of their heads rubbed too! And I know that people won't believe you when you tell them, but tortoises do have big personalities (as you are finding out).


Nina

[Anandita]

They're such funny characters, not at all dull like some people think lol