How to mark a tortoise?

[TortieLuver]

Anyone know the best way to mark a tortoise within a group of small torts? I see people putting red dots on some of theirs, but not sure what they are using. I want something that will last short term. Thanks

 

[bettinge]

I use finger nail polish and stay away from the seams between scutes.

While I don't like to mark them, I feel the benefits of tracking health and weights out weigh the negatives.

 

[tortoisenerd]

The smaller the spot the better. Some people also use white out. My tort literally grew out of his dot after two years (that the breeder put on) so I can't see it any more.

 

[GBtortoises]

I also use fingernail polish in the center of the scutes. Different dot configurations on different scutes help me to identify which group, female and clutch that a particular tortoise came from. I only do this with hatchlings that are for sale because it enables me to offer tortoises of the same species from different bloodlines and to give the new owners an exact birthdate of the tortoise that they are getting from me. I encourage them to keep the information that I give them on the hatchling(s) that they get from me so that if, in the future, they purchase another hatchling from me I can send them one that is either related or not (whichever they prefer) to the one they already have. So the little red dots play an important role in the way that I do it.
As far as my own tortoises, I don't mark them at all. I take carapace photos of them once a year and each is given a serial number of sorts which is how I keep track of the adults. That and after having certain tortoises for awhile you just tend to recognize each one. Not unlike meeting a group of people over and over!

 

[allegraf]

You can try non toxic acrylic paint. It comes off with plain water and a good scrubbing. It won;t last as long as nail polish or white out, but it is not as poisonous smelling as the other two.