I am new to tortoise care and i have noticed the larger of my hermanns has indention on his underneath is this normal? My other one is from the same batch and does not have this. Hard to see in the pictures but his underneath is an 'm' shape dips in either side of his center.
indented shell
- Thread starter CJHawkins
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In most species, the males plastron will be concaved. Now, I'm not sure of all the species that does this. Someone more familiar with hermanns will be able to tell you if they do this. Is it a male? If so, this could be the reason.
Completely normal, but I think you have a female. 
Well, it's hard to see from the picture, but I'm still going to say a female. She looks big enough to sex, but it's hard to say.
are males and females different shapes? I have 2 hermanns and one is very small,very round with a high dome the other is a lot larger wider and flatter. he/she kind of looks like a ball of dough that's been accidentally squashed at one end? sorry for the terrible description . or is it just tail length?
These are the 2 I have if anyone would like to guess the sex of them. It would be nice to know what I have.
. or is it just tail length?These are the 2 I have if anyone would like to guess the sex of them. It would be nice to know what I have.
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I have a question...is the plastron actually hard? Or is it somewhat pliable?
It could be that it needs some calcium and or natural sunlight.
It could be that it needs some calcium and or natural sunlight.
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- Jan 20, 2012
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Normal. I find the hermann torts will get more rippled plastrons if they are kept a little too dry and grow quickly.
Your babies are too young to sex. You have beautiful torts!
Your babies are too young to sex. You have beautiful torts!
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2012
- Messages
- 110
Warm humid area if possible. Most think this is the key to growing smooth shelled tortoises. I think it is true about the plastrons as well.
