How's he doing :]

[Squirt58]

I just wanted to post some pictures of my little one and see if hes looking okay, I believe he is 5 months old. (I actually have no idea if he IS a he but that is what we have decided for now lol) If anyone could tell me how he is doing that would be wonderful and would certainly ease my mind.
(p.s. does anyone else have a tort obsessed with shiny things? he chases after my rings like they are eatable! lol)

 

[Yvonne G]

Hi Niki:

The tortoise looks like he's doing just fine, however if he were my tortoise I'd try to get those stuck scutes in front separated. The first and second dorsal scutes seem to be stuck together, causing the carapace to have a wrinkled look.

I would try to lubricate the space between the scutes by rubbing mineral oil in there with a Q-tip. I would rub kind of hard and for a full minute or so, daily.

This is totally MY opinion, and you need to make your own decision. There's nothing wrong with the tortoise, and it doesn't harm him at all. Its just something I would do for my own personal satisfaction.

 

[Squirt58]

You know I was wondering about that. Would they seperate after a while from doing that??

 

[KingInCulver]

Ryan has the same obsession!!!

 

[Squirt58]

Omg yes! Lol its too cute!!

 

[jtrux]

Yea, that's really odd, never seen that one before but it looks like it could be a big problem later on so i'd try to do something about it.

 

[Squirt58]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing for when he gets older but what can you really do. I can't spank a tortoise lol

 

[Baoh]

It is just a quirk of development. It will likely never really separate to the point of normal, but it will not be harmful. Those two vertebral scutes are pretty much fused where there would normally be a margin. Your animal will be more easily identified, so that can be a positive aspect if you are into silver linings.

 

[LuckysGirl007]

It is just a quirk of development. It will likely never really separate to the point of normal, but it will not be harmful. Those two vertebral scutes are pretty much fused where there would normally be a margin. Your animal will be more easily identified, so that can be a positive aspect if you are into silver linings.

So, it's just unique! . I actually had a rescue with the same issue. It was 3 years old though. We named it "Squish Scute"!

 

[schmodygirl]

He's cute. And I kind of like his unique shell. It is like a birth mark.

 

[Zamric]

those scutes look like they are "Bridging". is there a void stating to form under the 2 scutes where they are joined and still growing?

 

[Squirt58]

Awe yay! He's a special one

 

[Squirt58]

Like is there a hole underneith them?