A summary of a lecture given to the Sociedad Herpetologica Velenciana Congreso Tortugas on October 30 2010 with additional links and updated practical advice. A. C . Highfield - Tortoise Trust English text first published online Nov 1 2010. Typical "Pyramiding: deformity in a juvenile Centrochelys sulcata (African Spurred tortoise) We are republishing this here with additional comments by request as it is by far the most complete explanation of the true causes of 'pyramiding'

A juvenile of approximately 3 years in typical undergrowth A. C. Highfield We recently published a very comprehensive article that sought to correct some of the many false "facts" and misleading claims about what levels of humidity wild tortoises really experience in their natural habitat: How do Hatchling and Juvenile Mediterranean Tortoises Really Behave in the Wild and What Humidity Levels do they Really Experience? Myth Busters Episode 12. The internet and social media is

A wild juvenile Testudo graeca in its natural habitat. Do they really spend 75-80% of their time hidden in "moist" vegetation or burrows at 80-90% Relative Humidity? Andy C. Highfield We have covered this general topic several times, from various angles, and we have also attempted to set the record straight by answering questions on various tortoise keeping groups and forums over many years. Unfortunately, no matter how many times we provide verifiable, factual and accurate

"Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community... but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots.” ― Umberto Eco: novelist, critic, philosopher. (1932-2016) FACTS matter. Opinions are free and everyone has them... but can they really back them up with objective measurements and unassailable logic? Andy C. Highfield You may well