Can Northerns marble.

Anyfoot

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Hi all.
I rescued 2 redfoots from the same owner about 14 months ago, both endured dog attacks and lived in 2x4 viv.
Anyway they seem to be happy now, they are both coming up to the 12" SCL and Both seem to be showing signs of marbling within the last 2 months. I've only took photos of one of them.
Can northern reds marble, or are these cross northern/cherry. They also seem to have the head morph of the more torpedo shape cherryheads. Northerns seem more bulbous.

Here you go @allegraf , @Redstrike , Its only minimal marbling, but its there.

On the 1st photo, the carapace just above the neck was originally dark, not sure if that bit is marbling.

I'm no photographer, sorry.

This is Mabel.
IMG_20160103_161028.jpg IMG_20160103_161038.jpg IMG_20160103_161055.jpg IMG_20160103_161105.jpg IMG_20160103_161231.jpg IMG_20160103_161323.jpg IMG_20160103_161337.jpg
 

Anyfoot

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Wow look at that plastron! Very cool! Following because mine is showing similarities.
Is that a bit of trait from x cherryhead, I don't know. Looks nice though. This one has grown 2" SCL since I got her about 14 months ago.
 

yillt

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That plastron is absolutely gorgeous. It looks like flames
 

mike taylor

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More than likely it's a cross . But others like Kelly ,Yvonne ,Jeff will be able to help in this discussion . I'm curious to find out also.
 

pfara

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Looks like a cross. Two of my girls have plastrons kinda like that.
 

Redstrike

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There doesn't have to be "cherry head" genetics for your northern to marble, though there could be in your tortoise.

Thanks for the pictures, that's definitely marbling. Is s/he kept outdoors at all?
 

Anyfoot

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There doesn't have to be "cherry head" genetics for your northern to marble, though there could be in your tortoise.

Thanks for the pictures, that's definitely marbling. Is s/he kept outdoors at all?
When I got these 2 torts, they had never seen the outdoors.
I let them out when ever I can. So this summer they were out quite a lot. They are inside now through the winter.
Are you thinking that the exposure to natural sun is fetching the marbling out?
 

Redstrike

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When I got these 2 torts, they had never seen the outdoors.
I let them out when ever I can. So this summer they were out quite a lot. They are inside now through the winter.
Are you thinking that the exposure to natural sun is fetching the marbling out?

Actually, the opposite. Mine marble more in winter when they're stuck inside under artificial uvb & uva lighting. Nothing conclusive, just anecdotal observations.
 

christinaland128

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@Anyfoot I can't get a good pic of the scutes but there are white specs coming in. I tried scrubbing them away and they're still there. She's 2 yrs old 6" long...ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1451941815.243291.jpgImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1451941825.442580.jpgImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1451941834.157951.jpg
 

Anyfoot

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@Anyfoot I can't get a good pic of the scutes but there are white specs coming in. I tried scrubbing them away and they're still there. She's 2 yrs old 6" long...View attachment 161057View attachment 161058View attachment 161059
Nice redfoot. Can see the marbling on the plastron coming through, do you mean the white on the boarder of the marginal scutes is the marbling too? Also yours seems to have the classic northern head morph appearance.
Are you sure she's female, I have little experience in seeing them mature to the definitely male/female stage.
 
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