Hatchling Stomach Shell Normal?

RatQueen_Irene

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Hello,

I had only briefly seen my hatchling eastern hermann tortoise's underside, knowing they hate to be flipped over and it being dangerous, him only having arrived a few days ago. I've since noticed a sort of strange bumpy pattern near the center line. Is this normal? He's in a high humidity, slightly damp from spraying mostly closed vivarium with coco coir over peat moss, being shell sprayed around 3 times a day or if he looks dry with correct lighting and diet according to the mediterranean tortoise care sheet. Is this an indication there's something I'm doing wrong, is he too moist? Might be worried for nothing.
 

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RatQueen_Irene

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He has access to and has eaten chopped up cuttlebone as well, with morning soaks he enjoys for around 15 minutes at which point he tries to leave and I let him go. I was letting him get some natural sun near an open window (no glass, on the floor, with me there) in a spare box for this photo
 
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Toddrickfl1

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Hello,

I had only briefly seen my hatchling eastern hermann tortoise's underside, knowing they hate to be flipped over and it being dangerous, him only having arrived a few days ago. I've since noticed a sort of strange bumpy pattern near the center line. Is this normal? He's in a high humidity, slightly damp from spraying mostly closed vivarium with coco coir over peat moss, being shell sprayed around 3 times a day or if he looks dry with correct lighting and diet according to the mediterranean tortoise care sheet. Is this an indication there's something I'm doing wrong, is he too moist? Might be worried for nothing.
What your seeing is where the egg sac was attached. Its kind of like a belly button for them. Perfectly normal and pretty soon you won't even notice it anymore.
 

Markw84

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Hello,

I had only briefly seen my hatchling eastern hermann tortoise's underside, knowing they hate to be flipped over and it being dangerous, him only having arrived a few days ago. I've since noticed a sort of strange bumpy pattern near the center line. Is this normal? He's in a high humidity, slightly damp from spraying mostly closed vivarium with coco coir over peat moss, being shell sprayed around 3 times a day or if he looks dry with correct lighting and diet according to the mediterranean tortoise care sheet. Is this an indication there's something I'm doing wrong, is he too moist? Might be worried for nothing.
It is "normal" and has nothing to do with what you are doing. That happened the first few days and weeks out of the egg. If started in a very moist brooder box with a wide variety of food items to eat and hide in, those wrinkles will not happen and the yolk sac opening will seal completely smooth. If started a bit dry, or left in the incubator "to absorb the yolk sac" as many breeders do, that is often how it will heal.

But in this case it is quite mild, and you have nothing to worry about.
 

Tom

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Hello,

I had only briefly seen my hatchling eastern hermann tortoise's underside, knowing they hate to be flipped over and it being dangerous, him only having arrived a few days ago. I've since noticed a sort of strange bumpy pattern near the center line. Is this normal? He's in a high humidity, slightly damp from spraying mostly closed vivarium with coco coir over peat moss, being shell sprayed around 3 times a day or if he looks dry with correct lighting and diet according to the mediterranean tortoise care sheet. Is this an indication there's something I'm doing wrong, is he too moist? Might be worried for nothing.
I agree that everything looks fine. Those squiggly lines are normal and not harmful. However, they should not be house don any kind of peat moss. The ling fibered stuff will be eaten and can cause impaction, and the dirt like stuff can burn their carapace. Coco coir is fine.
 

TaylorTortoise

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Abington
Hello,

I had only briefly seen my hatchling eastern hermann tortoise's underside, knowing they hate to be flipped over and it being dangerous, him only having arrived a few days ago. I've since noticed a sort of strange bumpy pattern near the center line. Is this normal? He's in a high humidity, slightly damp from spraying mostly closed vivarium with coco coir over peat moss, being shell sprayed around 3 times a day or if he looks dry with correct lighting and diet according to the mediterranean tortoise care sheet. Is this an indication there's something I'm doing wrong, is he too moist? Might be worried for nothing.
Where did you get your baby? love him
 
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