r/tortoise • u/EquipmentSea3331 • 12h ago

Question(s) Need help

So im super worried since its my first time having a hermanns tortoise and i have 9 months with him,(he is 9-10 months - ish old) i have everything he need like uvb heat food water etc. So today i squeezed his shell on the sides and was kinda flexible and just a bit soft (not on the top of the shell), but it comes back to shape. Same thing for his plastron. He is active, eats well and drinks water. I saw a similiar post made recently and OP had the same situation, comments said its okay but i think my tortoise is too old to still be slightly flexibly but i might be wrong. I dont know if it was like this before because i never check (please dont judge). If u have any idea if its something serious or harmless please tell me!

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u/EquipmentSea3331 12h ago

I put the wrong flair sorry

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u/Key-Tower-4539 12h ago

Do you have a heat lamp?

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u/SuitPotential3357 2h ago

Pictures would be helpful of the overall condition of the carapace and plastron. It’s hard to say without seeing how the condition is but I wouldn’t recommend squeezing their sides. You want safe and comfortable interactions with your tortoise to build trust.

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u/Ok-Confection7781 5m ago

Easier answer, I take mine to an exotic vet and have him checked out for a wellness visit. Much easier and better when the person giving you advice can hold and look at him in person.