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- Jul 23, 2008
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- 1,431
On another topic the question was raised on how do the hatchling colors reflect what the tort will look like as an adult. This isn't an easy one answer fits all kinda answer. I have found that hatchlings are born with a certain amount of colors, on their leg scales or their head scales and even color on the neck for the extraordinary ones. They do not develop any more color or lose color in terms of the amount. However, the colors may change as the tort ages. It may get darker or brighter as the tort ages. One thing to always look for in hatchlings is the leg scales and the head scales. The pattern of the head scales may spread out a bit as the tort grows as will the leg scales as their legs grow. The neck colors may also get more vivid as the tort gets older, but this may have to do with the skin darkening up and causing more contrast.
Here is an easy example, this is a tort I was lucky enough to get from Cdmay. This is Mango as a hatchling and Mango now as a sub adult.
Mango as a hatchling:
Mango at one year old:
Mango now as a sub adult:
Here is one that I hatched out last year to now, you can see the colors are changing. It was a bright orange when it hatched and will likely always be orange-ish but it seems to be getting more red tones.
As a hatchling:
Now, it was a bit dirty:
As for this one, I can't wait for this one to grow up:
Here is an easy example, this is a tort I was lucky enough to get from Cdmay. This is Mango as a hatchling and Mango now as a sub adult.
Mango as a hatchling:
Mango at one year old:
Mango now as a sub adult:
Here is one that I hatched out last year to now, you can see the colors are changing. It was a bright orange when it hatched and will likely always be orange-ish but it seems to be getting more red tones.
As a hatchling:
Now, it was a bit dirty:
As for this one, I can't wait for this one to grow up: