Cocos mouth

Crystallynda

Active Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2021
Messages
689
Location (City and/or State)
Las Vegas
Hello guys..just curious on something I have noticed in coco..

his mouth or aka beak looks like this..he still eats a lot and I believe his bite is still pretty strong but can this be normal for a juvenile tortoise??
Let me know please! He has cuttlebone and a rock in his enclosure but I still think he’s a little young still for these things but please let me know if there’s something I can do!! Thanks!! ??
 

Attachments

  • 4F69754C-FA8F-410D-9F7A-70625E54983C.jpeg
    4F69754C-FA8F-410D-9F7A-70625E54983C.jpeg
    975.5 KB · Views: 64
  • 89BDCD5A-4CDD-42DE-AA20-BAD14F9A02C3.jpeg
    89BDCD5A-4CDD-42DE-AA20-BAD14F9A02C3.jpeg
    1 MB · Views: 66
  • 18515306-B432-4BBE-8173-F889F8FBBD01.jpeg
    18515306-B432-4BBE-8173-F889F8FBBD01.jpeg
    790.3 KB · Views: 63
  • B8ADD14D-74FD-4201-B055-C2A8BA0E342F.jpeg
    B8ADD14D-74FD-4201-B055-C2A8BA0E342F.jpeg
    740.5 KB · Views: 64

Crystallynda

Active Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2021
Messages
689
Location (City and/or State)
Las Vegas
All I see is some discoloration. Their mouths can get stained from digging in the substrate.
All I see is some discoloration. Their mouths can get stained from digging in the substrate.
Yes, I got that! I know that’s from eating as well!
What I’m specifically talking about is his lower part..seems like it’s a little long and his mouth seems a little opened!
Just checking to see if this is normal that’s all!!??
 

KarenSoCal

Well-Known Member
Tortoise Club
5 Year Member
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jul 8, 2017
Messages
5,749
Location (City and/or State)
Low desert 50 mi SE of Palm Springs CA
It’s a little hard to tell, but it almost looks like he’s missing his nares. Are they there and just not visible in the pictures? Coco sure is cute, but like @KarenSoCal said, terrible choice of lipstick ?
You're right! They are very hard to see! All I see is tiny depressions where they are.
 

zolasmum

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 19, 2015
Messages
2,001
I do see what you mean, but I don't think it is anything to worry about - many tortoises seem to have their jaws misaligned a bit, or even a lot. It might even out as he grows- I'm sure it won't spoil his looks !! When he is bigger, if it still bothers you, a vet could probably file it to a more even shape, but it may settle down anyway. Zola has had a slightly
overhanging top jaw since he was little, and we do take him to the vet a couple of times a year to have it filed - but it doesn't hurt him,or stop him eating (or biting my hand ! )
Angie
 

TeamZissou

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2020
Messages
1,048
Location (City and/or State)
Albuquerque, NM
It’s a little hard to tell, but it almost looks like he’s missing his nares. Are they there and just not visible in the pictures? Coco sure is cute, but like @KarenSoCal said, terrible choice of lipstick ?

I was thinking the same thing when seeing pics in the other thread, no nose holes that I can see.

It looks like Coco's lower jaw is becoming overgrown. Earlier photos of him showed a normal looking jaw. It's surprising that it's happening so soon. @Yvonne G has said in the past that lack of calcium can contribute to overgrown beaks. Are you giving Coco a pinch of calcium powder 1-2 times per week? Are you mainly feeding grocery store greens or have you tried to introduce some weeds?
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,388
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
. . . and going along with what Zissou has said, a good UVB light to go with the calcium.
 
Top