To oil sulcata tortoise shell or to not oil A tortoise shell… That is the question…
You may have heard of people using coconut oil, olive oil or even baby oil on their tortoise’s shell. And you may question whether you should be doing the same.
Well, you are not neglecting your tortoise because you aren’t oiling its shell. You won’t find evidence that 100% deems oiling a tortoise shell is helpful or beneficial to keeping a tortoise healthy.
Perceived Benefits of Oiling a Tortoise Shell
- Moisturize a dry shell
- Keep the shell healthy
- Fights fungus (coconut oil has anti-fungal properties)
- Makes the shell stronger
Well, it’s not an ideal solution to cleaning, polishing, moisturizing or treating a tortoise’s shell.
Reasons Why You Should Not Oil a Sulcata Tortoise Shell
A tortoise shell is made of keratin, like the outer layer of skin or fingernails. A build-up of oil on the tortoise’s shell and clog the pores, blocking the oxygen transfer. Painting your fingernails only covers a small portion of your body. Waxing your tortoise’s shell covers 90% of your tortoise’s body.
Applying oil to a sulcata tortoise shell can potentially trap dirt and debris between the shell and oil, clogging the “pores,” promoting bacteria and fungal growth.
Before the oil dries to the shell, it can attract dirt and debris. The dirt can dry to the shell, causing a build-up, which could potentially cause the tortoise to overheat.
Applying oil to your sulcata tortoise’s shell can inhibit the absorption of UVB.
