Weird shell issue...(white squiggly lines)

[Anastasia]

This is Stavi and I've had him since he was a new hatchling. I just noticed today these weird lines", almost like veins, on the yellow parts of his scutes. These lines aren't raised at all, they appear to be part of the scute, or inside. I'm baffled! Anyone seen anything like this? Someone suggested maybe it's fungal or a parasite? Stavi eats well and is growing well, as you can see he is a round little guy! Please give me your thoughts on this!

 

[abclements]

Re: Weird shell issue...

My first guess is just calcium deposits on the shell from hard water? Especially since you just noticed it today. Cleaning with a wet towel should get rid of it, but it might still come back when it dries.

My next guess is that it might be fungal or bacterial. I would do a test spot with a antifungal cream and a spot with neosporin. I've had success with both of these when trying to get rid of minor shell fungus. If it doesn't feel raised, its probably bacterial, so the neosporin should work wonders!

Hopefully somebody has other ideas if those don't work.

Sent from my LG-P769 using TortForum mobile app

 

[colatoise]

Weird shell issue...

I've seen this on my Greek as well. Hopefully someone with more experience with this will chime in.

 

[GBtortoises]

RE: Weird shell issue...

The lines are "water lines", most often seen on young captive born tortoises that are kept indoors in moist conditions. The lines seem to be very common in Greek tortoises especially. There is nothing to be concerned with, no bacterial or fungal issues. The lines are apparent only because the layer of keratin scutes is thinner than normally would be of a tortoise which is growing slower and outdoors. The "condition" is perfectly harmless. In fact, if the tortoise is put outdoors, after about a month the lines disappear completely. I've had several baby Ibera exhibit the same condition here and they're all fine and healthy.

 

[Anastasia]

Very good to know! Thank you!