Hatchling keeping colors to adulthood

[allegraf]

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:

 

[N2TORTS]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! and great info ..... thanks for the post!

JD~

 

[Redstrike]

I'm so jonesing for a couple of torts like Mango - heck all the ones you're showing here are blowing me away! They're unbelievable Allegra!

 

[Hustler]

OMG....... I have NEVER seen a tort like that...... Simply amazing

 

[bigred]

Very beautiful

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

Beautiful!

 

[l0velesly]

Such vibrant reds!!!!

 

[DesertGrandma]

Here is another question for you. Do you find that (like in birds) the males are brighter than the females?

 

[Jacob]

I Would like to point out the way the tortoise is raised also reflects on the colors as well!
Typically if you have a tortoise indoors with lights there colors appear to come in darker
then they would if growing up naturally outside.

 

[cdmay]

Ha! That one in the second to last photo has an eyebrow like Bert from Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street!

 

[Tom]

Thank you for the info and for the incredible pics.

 

[allegraf]

Here is another question for you. Do you find that (like in birds) the males are brighter than the females?

Not really. I have some colorful females and some drab males and vice versa

Thanks all for the compliments.

 

[Madkins007]

Male vs. female colors- some references mention that males are often a bit more colorful overall, but it is not to the same extent it is in many birds or fish. In "South American Tortoises" they mention that some of the most colorful torts they have seen in the field have been female.

 

[DesertGrandma]

Good to know about the colors. You have some gorgeous colors in these. Thanks for posting.

 

[terryo]

Very interesting, and amazing pictures. Loving that last baby!

 

[EricIvins]

Male vs. female colors- some references mention that males are often a bit more colorful overall, but it is not to the same extent it is in many birds or fish. In "South American Tortoises" they mention that some of the most colorful torts they have seen in the field have been female.

This also goes along the lines that Females will lose some color every time they cycle, which is Hormone related.......It seems some Males get brighter when the season comes around from a similiar but different Hormone influx......

 

[theresal]

Thanks for the pics, they are beautiful. I never really thought about checking the necks of the hatchlings for color. I will have to check my March babies to see if they have any color on their necks.

 

[ada caro]

Sooo nice.

 

[Bryan]

That last one is INSANE Allegra! So much color on the head and neck, a truly remarkable specimen!

 

[imranuddin93]

so is it that since tortoises dont develop anymore color as they grow older that their adult bodies seem duller and less colorful then when they are younger?